Viral strain similar to ones found in imported cases from Turkey: CECC
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/06/20
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Residents line up to get tested at a coronavirus testing center set up outside a sports facility in Beijing. (AP photo)
Hong Kong experts suggested the viral genome sequence identified in the Chinese capital’s new outbreak bears a similarity to the ones found in Taiwan and Europe. In response, Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) Spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) clarified the viral strain was detected from imported cases in March from Turkey, wrote Newtalk.
A total of 13 individuals on a group tour to Turkey between March 4-13 were confirmed to have contracted the novel virus after their return to Taiwan. No other cases reported in Taiwan so far were found to be infected by the same viral strain, Chuang added.
The health official stressed Taiwan has nothing to do with the second wave of the COVID outbreak wreaking havoc in Beijing, according to the report. [FULL STORY]