According to statistics collected by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), 92 more cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection were reported with no new confirmed cases on January 25, 2020. As of now, a cumulative total of 283 cases have been reported, including three confirmed cases, 124 individuals removed from the follow-up list, and 156 in isolation for lab tests among which preliminary tests were negative in 53 and test results of the others are pending. The three confirmed cases are currently being treated in a negative pressure ward at the hospital. Of 46 close contacts of the first confirmed cases, two individuals developed symptoms and were reported. In the other two confirmed cases as announced on January 24, 139 individuals have been identified as contacts. Of 139 contacts, one, a contact of the confirmed case who is a 50-year-old Taiwanese man, has developed symptoms and was reported and tested preliminarily negative for 2019-nCoV.
CECC urges people to cooperate and abide by prevention measures implemented if they receive notice of of being identified as contacts from health units. Such measures include avoiding public places, wearing a face mask when going out, conducting hand and respiratory health, taking the temperature and keeping an activity log during the 14-day health monitoring period, wearing a surgical mask and voluntarily contact local health bureaus immediately if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, and voluntarily informing the physician of any history of travel, occupation, contact, and cluster. CECC will enforce the measures and place violators in isolation for quarantine and request the Ministry of Justice and National Police Agency to handle the matter.
According to the reporting data provided by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and data published by local health commission in each Chinese province and city, as of January 25 a cumulative total of 1,975 confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV infection have been recorded in China, including 324 severe cases and 56 deaths cumulatively. Of 31 Chinese provinces and cities (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Tibet is the only region where no confirmed or suspected case has occurred. A cumulative total of 36 confirmed cases have been recorded in other countries, excluding Taiwan. 36 confirmed cases include 5 cases in Thailand, 5 in Hong Kong, 4 in Australia, 4 in Malaysia, 3 in Japan, 3 in Singapore, 3 in France, 2 in Macau, 2 in Vietnam,2 in South Korea, 2 in the United States, and 1 in Nepal.
CECC broadened the travel notice for Wuhan and changed to Hubei Province and raised the level for Hubei Province to Level 3: Warning on January 25. The public is advised to avoid non-essential trips to the area. CECC also raised travel notice level for other Chinese provinces to Level 2: Alert; travelers visiting China are advised to reinforce prevention measures. CECC urges the public to take the temperature, wash hands thoroughly with soap, refrain from touching eyes, nose and mouth with hands and avoid crowded public places. If symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath develop, please rest at home and stay clear of public places. If going out is necessary, please put on a surgical mask, wash hands thoroughly with soap and appropriately dispose of respiratory secretions.
Travelers arriving in Taiwan are advised to voluntarily inform the quarantine officer at the airport/port if symptoms such as fever and cough develop. If the aforementioned suspected symptoms develop within 14 days after returning to Taiwan, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922) and put on a surgical mask and seek immediate medical attention as instructed. Moreover, please inform the physician of any history of travel, occupation, contact, and cluster (TOCC) to facilitate timely diagnosis and prompt case-reporting. For more information on 2019-nCoV, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.