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. 2020 Jun 9:8:e9360.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9360. eCollection 2020.

COVID-19: Taiwan's epidemiological characteristics and public and hospital responses

Chih-Ming Chang  1   2 , Ting-Wan Tan  1 , Tai-Cheng Ho  1 , Chung-Chu Chen  3   4 , Tsung-Hsien Su  5   6 , Chien-Yu Lin  6   7
Affiliations

COVID-19: Taiwan's epidemiological characteristics and public and hospital responses

Chih-Ming Chang et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global health threat with significant medical, economic, social and political implications. The optimal strategies for combating COVID-19 have not been fully determined and vary across countries.

Methods: By the end of February 2020 in Taiwan, 2,150 patients received diagnostic COVID-19 testing and 39 confirmed cases were detected. This is a relatively lower rate of infection compared to other Asian countries. In this article, we summarize the epidemiological characteristics of the 39 infected patients as well as public and hospital responses to COVID-19.

Results: Thirty-nine COVID-19 cases and one death have been confirmed in Taiwan. Seventeen of these patients were infected by family members or in hospital wards, emphasizing how COVID-19 is mostly spread by close contact. We examined how hospital have responded to COVID-19, including their implementation of patient route control, outdoor clinics, hospital visit restrictions and ward and staff modifications. We also studied the public's use of face masks in response to COVID-19. These strategies may reduce the spread of COVID-19 in other countries.

Conclusion: The emergence and spread of COVID-19 is a threat to health worldwide. Taiwan has reported lower infected cases and its strategies may contribute to further disease prevention and control.

Keywords: COVID-19; Mask; Novel coronavirus; Pandemic; Public response; Quarantine; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Cumulative cases of COVID-19 in some Asian countries since middle February.
Figure 2
Figure 2. The relationship and route of transmission of 39 confirmed cases in Taiwan.
Figure 3
Figure 3. The pop-up window before internet registration to remind triage with travel history or respiratory symptoms.
If medical aid for people with abroad travel history, they will be guided to a specific outdoor clinic.
Figure 4
Figure 4. The outdoor clinics for patients with travel history or respiratory symptoms.
Figure 5
Figure 5. A shorter version of visitor restriction was posted to provide clear instructions to patients and visitors.
If visitors were allowed to enter hospital, registration with detailed information was required for further contact tracing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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