On March 21, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced 18 new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Cases #136-153 are between 20 and 79 years old. The patients entered Taiwan between March 8 and March 19 and displayed symptoms between March 6 and March 19. The countries these patients had traveled to include France, Egypt, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Turkey, the Czech Republic and South Africa. Case #140 was a member of the same tour group to Egypt as Case #71, and identified as a contact related to the tour group. Case #140 developed symptoms on March 18 when the patient was in home isolation. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 21. As of now, seven individuals in the cluster involving the travel group have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (six group members, one contact).

Cases #143 and #144 are a couple who reside in the Czech Republic. The couple are relatives of Case #77(imported case). They were sent to the hospital for related testing when arriving in Taiwan on March 19. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the cases on March 21. Case #148 traveled to the United States for study from January 24 to March 15. Case #148 was on the same flight back to Taiwan as Case #85, and identified as a contact of Case #85. Case #148 developed symptoms on March 18. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 21. Case #150 is a member of Case #133’s family. The patient traveled to the United Kingdom for study from January 14 to March 14, and returned to Taiwan with Case #133 on March 14. Case #150 had symptoms on March 19. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 21. With respect to the remaining 13 imported cases, the patients are not linked to other confirmed cases and went overseas mainly for study or travel, with work being part of reason.