On March 10, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the 46th and 47th confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Case #46 is an over-20-year-old male who resides in northern Taiwan, and he is a family member of Case #34 and Case #41. Case #47 is an over-30-year-old male who resides in southern Taiwan, and an imported case linked to a trip to the Netherlands.

The CECC indicated that Case #46 has no recent travel history and lives with Case #34 and Case #41 and that Case #46 had kept Case #34 company in the hospital. After Case #34 was diagnosed with COVID-19, Case #46 was placed in isolation in the hospital and tested twice for COVID-19 from February 28 to March 3 as he had contact with Case #34. Case #46 returned home for home isolation after having tested negative for COVID-19. He had a cough from March 6 to March 8. As health agencies conducted related health follow-up, Case #46 reported a worsening cough. Case #46 was then admitted to a negative pressure isolation ward and tested for the novel coronavirus for the third time. He tested positive for COVID-19 on March 10. With respect to the cluster, a total of 447 contacts have been identified, and 398 individuals have been tested. Of these contacts, 8 tested positive for COVID-19 (Cases #35-38, and Cases #41, #42, #45 and #46), and 386 tested negative with the remainder awaiting test results.  

The CECC also reported that Case #47 went on a business trip to the Netherlands with two other colleagues from March 2 to March 5. After returning to Taiwan, Case #47 developed a mild fever and a dry cough on March 9, and he sought medical care the same day. As the patient has a travel history and developed symptoms, the hospital reported the case to health agencies. The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 10. Case #47 is being treated in a negative pressure isolation ward. Based on the locations he had visited before the onset of the symptoms, there is a higher possibility that Case #47 had contracted the novel coronavirus abroad. Health agencies will investigate Case #47’s travel itinerary in the Netherlands, and continue to follow up on the health of passengers on the same flight as Case #47, his family and friends, his colleagues and other persons who had contact with him.