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Analysis of Imported Cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jui-Yao Liu

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Road, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei 11217, Taiwan)

  • Tzeng-Ji Chen

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Road, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    Big Data Center, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Road, Taipei 11217, Taiwan)

  • Shinn-Jang Hwang

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Road, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei 11217, Taiwan)

Abstract

In the early stages of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, containment of disease importation from epidemic areas was essential for outbreak control. This study is based on publicly accessible data on confirmed COVID-19 cases in Taiwan extracted from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website. We analysed the characteristics, infection source, symptom presentation, and route of identification of the 321 imported cases that were identified from 21 January to 6 April 2020. They were mostly returned Taiwanese citizens who had travelled to one or more of 37 countries for tourism, business, work, or study. Half of these cases developed symptoms before arrival, most of the remainder developed symptoms 1–13 days (mean 4.0 days) after arrival, and 3.4% never developed symptoms. Three-quarters of the cases had respiratory symptoms, 44.9% had fever, 13.1% lost smell or taste, and 7.2% had diarrhoea. Body temperature and symptom screening at airports identified 32.7% of the cases. Of the remainder, 27.7% were identified during home quarantining, 16.2% were identified via contact tracing, and 23.4% were reported by hospitals. Under the strict enforcement of these measures, the incidence of locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Taiwan remains sporadic. In conclusion, proactive border control measures are effective for preventing community transmission of this disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Jui-Yao Liu & Tzeng-Ji Chen & Shinn-Jang Hwang, 2020. "Analysis of Imported Cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:9:p:3311-:d:356030
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Remidius Kamuhabwa Kakulu & Esther Gwae Kimaro & Emmanuel Abraham Mpolya, 2024. "Effectiveness of Point of Entry Health Screening Measures among Travelers in the Detection and Containment of the International Spread of COVID-19: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Feng-Shiang Cheng & Yung-Feng Yen & Shu-Yi Lin & Shih-Han Weng & Yi-Chang Chou & Dachen Chu & Chu-Chieh Chen & Hsiao-Yun Hu, 2021. "Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-11, July.

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