A total of 246 Taiwan nationals and family members evacuated from Wuhan, China, earlier this month amid a COVID-19 outbreak were released from quarantine Feb. 18 after completing their 14-day mandatory stay at one of three facilities around the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the returnees must conduct self-monitoring at home for a further two weeks. This requires taking temperature twice a day, wearing a surgical mask when interacting with others and contacting authorities if respiratory symptoms develop.
One evacuee tested positive for COVID-19 the day after the group touched down at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. No other cases among the evacuees have been reported.
The CDC also said it is arranging a charter flight to bring home the remaining 18 Taiwan passengers on board the virus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan’s Yokohama. They will adhere to the same 14-day quarantine routine as the Wuhan group on their return, the CDC added.
Statistics by the Central Epidemic Command Center under the CDC reveal 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan as of Feb. 18, with 74,185 identified in China and 951 reported in 27 other countries and territories.
Of the 22 local cases, one passed away Feb. 16, two have been discharged from hospital and the other 19 are in a stable condition. (SFC-E)
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