The case is reported to be linked to a cluster of overseas pilots
22 December 2020 • 9:24am
LIfe has remained relatively normal in Taiwan this year although mask wearing is high
Credit: Ritchie B Tongo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Taiwan on Tuesday reported its first locally transmitted Covid-19 case since April 12, jolting the island of 23 million out of its much praised infection-free streak of more than 250 days.
The individual who tested positive for Covid-19 was a friend of a person who had already been confirmed to have been infected with the virus, the health minister, Chen Shih-chung, told a news conference.
The case is believed to be linked to a cluster among overseas pilots flying cargo planes in and out of the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, which began with a New Zealand pilot in his 60s who was likely infected during a trip to the United States.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Taiwan s first local case in eight months linked to Kiwi pilot
22 Dec, 2020 08:30 AM
2 minutes to read
NZ Herald
The first locally-transmitted case of Covid-19 in eight months has been reported in Taiwan.
The new case is linked to a New Zealand pilot diagnosed with Covid-19 on Sunday, the Financial Times reported.
Read More
The nation s Centers for Disease Control said the pilot in an initial interview, could not recall all activities and didn t mention a contact history with the new case.
The health agency also said a failure to provide truthful contact information could violate the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Law and result in fines of up to NT$300,000.
Taiwan News reports.
According to the site, Chuang told the press that the Kiwi had travelled to the US on November 29, where it s understood he became infected. He flew back to Taiwan on December 4.
After quarantining for three days upon his arrival - which is standard protocol for pilots entering the country - the Kiwi reportedly embarked on a four-day solo trip around northern Taiwan from December 8 to December 11.
According to
Taiwan News, the man s movements are under investigation by the CECC and local police. Officials are also working to identify the man s close contacts over those four days.
On December 12, the man - who authorities believe was still infectious at the time - reportedly travelled back to the US with the Taiwanese and Japanese pilots. The three returned to Taiwan on December 15 and the female pilot tested positive for COVID-19 three days later.