Vice president and epidemiologist Chen Chien-jen seeks to allay fears of COVID-19 'community spread'

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/02/17
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taxi drivers are being advised to leave their car windows open after Taiwan reported its first death on Sunday (Feb. 16), of a cab driver who may have contracted the Wuhan coronavirus from his customers.

Bus or cab drivers should ensure they have a well-ventilated environment when driving if face masks are not available, said infectious diseases expert Hwang Kao-ping (黃高彬) of the CMU Children’s Hospital.

The victim was in his 60s and had underlying health problems and may have contracted the virus from his customers. His clients mainly hailed from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

The case has sparked concerns of "community spread" — with COVID-19 dispersing through the wider Taiwan community. Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), an epidemiologist, on Monday (Feb. 17) sought to assuage the public’s fears by clarifying the difference between community spread and local transmission.    [FULL  STORY]