Taiwan’s recent surge in domestic COVID cases include cases in Taoyuan, northwestern Taiwan at a kindergarten and a free trade zone there. People are worried whether Taoyuan alone should raise its COVID-19 alert level.
Authorities have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Jimmy Bear Kindergarten in Taoyuan. The source of the infections is still unclear. The school has been forced to close for 14 days. Over 300 teachers and students have been tested. There has been discussion over whether the COVID-19 alert level in Taoyuan should be raised from the current Level 2 to Level 3.
Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan says he believes that the Central Epidemic Command Center will make the best judgment. He says that his office is willing to go with whatever the final decision is.
However, Dr. Jiang Guan-yu, a doctor in family medicine, says that raising the alert level in Taoyuan alone would make little sense. Jiang said that there needs to be consistency throughout Taiwan for a concerted effort to control COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Farglory Free Trade Zone in Taoyuan also confirmed COVID cases among its employees. Even though the initial round of tests on others working in the area has come back negative, authorities say people need to remain vigilant, as some people will likely return positive results during a second round of tests.