PublishTime：2020-03-28

On March 28, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced 16 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan, with 14 being imported and the other two being indigenous. A total of 283 cases have been confirmed in Taiwan as of writing. Among 14 imported cases, nine patients are women and five patients are men, with their ages ranging between 10 and 69 years old. These patients entered Taiwan between March 6 and March 26 and displayed symptoms between March 1 and March 25. The countries these patients had traveled to before the onset of disease include Australia, Canada, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States. The patients went overseas mainly for work or study.Case #268 began to have symptoms on February 28 and sought medical care many times. The patient was hospitalized on March 20 and discharged on March 23 after symptoms improved. The patient sought medical attention again on March 25 for having a fever and shortness of breath, and then was tested for COVID-19 and reported to health agencies. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 28. A total of 102 individuals who had contact with the case have been preliminarily identified, and an investigation into the source of infection will be conducted. Case #269 sought medical attention for having muscle pain, diarrhea and a fever between March 23 and March 24. The patient was tested for COVID-19 and reported to health agencies on March 25. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 28. A total of seven contacts have been identified so far, and an investigation will be launched to identify the persons who had contact with the patient when the patient sought medical care. Additionally, the CECC continues to investigate the source of infection.