China Energy | Society | East Asia
Taiwan is working to comprise a home outbreak and preserve its outstanding success in containing the coronavirus.
Individuals sporting face masks to guard in opposition to the unfold of the coronavirus undergo gates of a metro in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020.
Credit score: AP Picture/Chiang Ying-ying
Taiwan has reported 12 complete circumstances of COVID-19 linked to a cluster of infections at a northern hospital, main the nation to stiffen some laws to stop additional neighborhood unfold.
Well being Minister Chen Shih-chung introduced two new domestically transmitted circumstances on January 22, each linked to the cluster an infection at Taoyuan Common Hospital.
Taiwan went over eight months with no domestically transmitted case of COVID-19 earlier than a pilot for Taiwan’s EVA Air contaminated a Taiwanese lady in December. It has reported 12 circumstances within the hospital cluster since January 12.
On January 19, Taiwan’s authorities canceled celebrations for the Taiwan Lantern Competition, held yearly to have fun the Lunar New 12 months. The presidential workplace has additionally canceled its Lunar New 12 months reception, whereas some metropolis governments have canceled their very own lantern competition occasions.
The Taiwan Railway Administration stated it might cease leasing most important halls within the nation’s prepare station. It additionally put in partitions in meals court docket areas and positioned tables additional aside.
Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsang stated on January 21 that Taoyuan Common Hospital had accomplished a mass evacuation of sufferers in order that hospital buildings could possibly be disinfected by a staff of presidency employees and members of the military’s “chemical warfare” group.
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Middle stated the subsequent day that every one discharged or transferred sufferers listed as excessive threat from the hospital should go into quarantine.
The hospital cluster has jolted Taiwan, particularly as among the infections occurred exterior the hospital when employees contaminated their members of the family.
The nation has largely existed in a COVID-free bubble as a result of a speedy, environment friendly, and clear early response, which has led to a excessive stage of belief between authorities and the inhabitants.
The brand new cluster confirmed indicators of testing this belief. Chen, the well being minister, didn’t initially reveal the situation of the cluster, resulting in days of hypothesis amongst residents and the media.
Democratic Progressive Social gathering (DPP) spokesman Liu Kang-yen on Thursday ripped the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) for “political maneuvering” after KMT magistrates warned in opposition to pointless journey to Taoyuan, the situation of the hospital cluster.
Taoyuan, which is house to round 2.2 million individuals together with the nation’s main worldwide airport, has develop into enveloped in concern of the virus, at the same time as the entire case rely stays low. “Chemical warfare” military troops have been seen disinfecting town frequently all through the week.
KMT spokesperson Chen Wei-chieh stated the magistrates had been solely talking on behalf of public well being and famous Taiwan’s protection ministry has requested navy service individuals to keep away from visiting Taoyuan.
Taiwan has reported a complete of 881 circumstances of COVID-19 and 7 deaths as of January 22. Solely 93 of these circumstances have been categorised as neighborhood infections, most of which occurred earlier than April 12, 2020.
