Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced 1 more indigenous confirmed case of 2019-nCoV in Taiwan on January 30, 2020. The case developed symptoms on January 27 and was hospitalized on January 28. Infection with 2019-nCoV was confirmed in the case on January 30. The case’s husband works at Wuhan, China and developed a cough and runny nose on January 12 after returning to Taiwan. The case is determined to be household transmission. The case is currently in a stable condition, and the hospital and local health agencies have proceeded with prevention measures, including the investigation of the case and contact tracing, according to relevant procedures.  

According to the statistics collected by CECC, 109 additional cases of 2019-nCoV infection were reported in Taiwan on January 29. As of writing, a cumulative total of 730 cases have been reported, including nine confirmed cases, 482 individuals removed from the follow-up list, and 239 under quarantine for lab tests of who preliminary tests were negative in 98 and tests of the others are pending. Nine confirmed cases are in a stable condition and being treated in isolation in the hospital. The hospital and local health agencies have proceeded with prevention measures, including the investigation of the cases and contact tracing, according to relevant procedures. The total number of contacts of the other eight confirmed cases is 486. Of 486, 29 contacts developed symptoms and were reported. Of 29 reported cases, 17 tested negative for 2019-nCoV infection after the second test, and 12 are awaiting tests. In 7 of the 12 contacts, a second confirmatory test was conducted while the test results of the other 5 contacts are pending.

CECC indicated that in order to reach a rational distribution of face masks in Taiwan, CECC will requisition medical face masks and surgical masks produced by domestic mask manufacturers starting from January 31, approximately 4 million masks every day. These masks will be distributed by CECC to fulfill the needs of livelihood (about 2.6 million masks will be released every day) and of medical treatment or prevention efforts as well as storage (about 1.4 million masks will be released every day) by the government. The masks for the needs of livelihood will be provided in channels, such as convenience stores, beauty stores, drug stores and medical supply stores. With respect to the masks to be released, each person will only be allowed to buy no more than three masks at a time. The policy is set to remain effective until February 15. CECC urged that the healthy public does not need to wear a face mask to allow masks to be purchased by people who have chronic diseases, who need medical attention, who accompany a patient for doctor appointments and the visitor of a patient. CECC reminded that people with respiratory symptoms should wear a face mask; patients with chronic diseases are advised to wear a face mask when going outside; and people in a crowded place without good ventilation are advised to wear a face mask.