Coronavirus News | Office of Global Mandarin Education

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The second version of Taiwan's new mask-rationing website launched on Wednesday (March 25) with an English option. Individuals can place pre-orders for surgical masks between 8 a.m. March 25 and 8 p.m. March 27 on the second version of the eMask Ordering System. After many foreign residents complained that the website's interface was entirely in Chinese, there is now an English option as well. Although the language barrier is no longer an issue, foreigners still only have the option of using their National Health Insurance (NHI) cards, and they must use a card reader to enter them into the system. Fortunately, card readers (讀卡機) are quite inexpensive at around NT$200 (US$6.60) and easily purchased at electronics stores and on e-commerce sites in Taiwan. The card reader is needed to complete the process of registering NHI cards online. The registration process also requires the installation of a plugin, preferably on a desktop computer, as mobile devices require further authentication. Once the plugin is installed and the card reader is plugged into a computer with the NHI card inserted, the user will need to fill out information about their ARC. Next, they will need to choose the nearest branch of one of four convenience store chains: 7-Eleven, OK-Mart, FamilyMart, or Hi-Life. Those who successfully place their pre-orders will receive a payment notification, and payment can be made by ATM transfer (through a mobile bank, internet bank, internet ATM, or physical ATM) or credit card within the designated payment period. Mobile app pre-purchases can only be paid via ATM transfer. After the transaction is successful, the purchaser will receive a delivery number via SMS. After receiving the delivery notification, those who pay between March 28 and 30 will see their masks delivered to contracted convenience stores between April 2 and 8. Customers need to bring their delivery number and a form of identification (ARC, NHI card, or driver's license) to the convenience store. Next, they need to enter the delivery number and their ID card number at multi-function kiosks (such as ibon, FamiPort, Life-ET, OK-go) and print out a receipt. Finally, customers will need to hand the receipt to the convenience store clerk to obtain the masks that were ordered. The total cost for the weekly ration of three masks is NT$22, including an NT$7 shipping fee. Dubbed the "Real-name Mask System 2.0," the mechanism was introduced on March 12 and has been used 117.8 million times.   (Data Source:Taiwan News)

On March 25, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) recommended that indoor events that are attended by more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings that are attended by more than 500 people be suspended, in order to prevent cluster infections. The CECC explained that organizers of these types of gatherings can conduct risk assessments based on the following six indicators described in the Guidelines for Large-Scale Public Gatherings in the Wake of the COVID-19 Outbreak: 1. ability to gain information on participants beforehand; 2. air ventilation and replacement; 3. distance between participants; 4. whether participants are in a fixed position; 5. event duration; 6. hand hygiene and surgical masks. If an assessment of the nature of the gathering finds a high degree of risk, the CECC recommends that the gathering be postponed or cancelled, or held in a different manner. (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After someone at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) was diagnosed with Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), 20 classes have been suspended, affecting nearly 1,000 students and instructors. On Tuesday (March 24), NTHU President Hong Hocheng (賀陳弘) announced on Facebook that because 26 students and faculty had come in contact with a confirmed case, they will need to begin a 14-day quarantine. In addition, Hong announced that 20 classes would be suspended, affecting over 900 people. The affected faculty and students have been notified via SMS and e-mail and are being told to conduct self-health management from Tuesday through March 31. They are advised to avoid public places as much as possible and, when going out, to wear a mask and check their body temperatures each morning and evening. They have also been asked to keep a detailed record of their activities. The president said that the suspended courses will be changed to distance learning classes, also through March 31. (Data Source:Taiwan News)

The Central Epidemic Command Center reported on March 24 that 1,143 additional cases related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported on March 23. As of writing, a cumulative total of 25,746 cases have been reported among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 23,347. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 215 cases (Cases #196-216 confirmed today). Of 216 confirmed cases in Taiwan, 179 are imported and 38 are indigenous. Of the confirmed cases, there have been 2 deaths, and 29 patients have been released from isolation while the remainder is in a stable condition and remains hospitalized in isolation. Case #216 is a French male in his 30s who resides in northern Taiwan. He was identified as a contact of Case #84 (imported), and developed a fever and a cough on March 20 when he was in home isolation. Health agencies then arranged his medical care and COVID-19 testing. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 24. The patient is currently being treated in a negative pressure isolation ward. (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on March 23 that the second round of online ordering under the name-based rationing system for face masks will commence on March 25. Members of the public who would like to order face masks online are welcome to do so from that date.  The CECC pointed out that the online ordering procedures for the second round will be similar to those for the first round, with one notable difference being that the second round has been shortened, enabling those who order online to quickly collect their face masks. Key aspects of the second round are as follows: 1.    People can place online orders from 08:00 on March 25 (Wed.) to 20:00 on March 27 (Fri.) by verifying their identity with their NHI card or Citizen Digital Certificate or through the NHI Administration’s National Health Insurance Express mobile app.  2.    Those who have successfully placed an online order will be requested to complete the related payment between 08:00 on March 28 (Sat.) and 20:00 on March 30 (Mon.) by ATM transfer or credit card. 3.    Those who have successfully placed an online order and completed the payment will receive a text message on March 31 (Tue.) or April 1 (Wed.) with an order pickup number.  4.    The face masks can be collected from April 2 (Thu.) to April 8 (Wed.) with the order pickup number and ID of the person who placed the order (i.e., National ID Card, Resident Certificate, NHI card, driver’s license) at a designated convenience store. Simply input the order pickup number and ID number at the convenience store’s kiosk system (e.g., ibon, FamiPort, Life-ET, OK·go), print the pickup form, and give the form to store staff.   (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

On March 21, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that travelers who arrived in Taiwan from the United States and East Asia between March 8 and March 18 and developed symptoms in the said period of time are required to undergo home quarantine, and be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for retrospective investigation. The CECC indicated that it has linked related data to the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in order to identify individuals who sought medical attention and had upper respiratory symptoms during the specified time period (3000 records) after returning from these countries. The CECC will send text messages to symptomatic persons to remind them to undergo home quarantine, and to voluntarily contact the local public health bureau or health agencies at 1922, the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, which will arrange COVID-19 testing. Inbound travelers who sought medical care but haven’t received any text messages from health agencies should voluntarily contact the local public health bureau and follow related measures. (origin from:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)