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COVID-19: Taiwan's epidemiological characteristics and public and hospital responses
Chih-Ming Chang1,2, Ting-Wan Tan1, Tai-Cheng Ho1
1Department of Nursing, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Insights
Taiwan reported a low rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases by implementing effective public and hospital strategies. These measures, including patient route control and mask usage, may help prevent further disease spread globally.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a significant global health challenge with wide-ranging implications.
- Optimal strategies for managing COVID-19 remain under investigation and differ internationally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the epidemiological characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Taiwan.
- To analyze public and hospital responses to COVID-19 in Taiwan.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2,150 diagnostic COVID-19 tests conducted by late February 2020.
- Review of hospital response strategies: patient route control, outdoor clinics, visit restrictions, and staff/ward modifications.
- Assessment of public face mask usage in response to the pandemic.
Main Results:
- 39 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death were reported in Taiwan.
- Close contact, such as within families or hospitals, was identified as a primary mode of COVID-19 transmission (17 cases).
- Hospitals implemented various control measures, and public mask usage was observed.
Conclusions:
- Taiwan's lower infection rate suggests the effectiveness of its implemented strategies.
- These strategies may offer valuable insights for disease prevention and control in other countries facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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