Epidemiology of the first 100 cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan and its implications on outbreak control
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
119
Journal Issue
11
Pages
1601-1607
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Tsou T.-P.
Chen W.-C.
Huang A.S.-E.
Su C.-P.
Lee P.-H.
Chan P.-C.
Wu H.-H.
Huang S.-T.
Su W.-J.
Su Y.-S.
Wei H.-Y.
Chen M.-Y.
Wu P.-Y.
Wang K.-C.
Tsai H.-T.
Lee H.-C.
Hung M.-N.
the Taiwan COVID-19 Outbreak Investigation Team
Abstract
Purpose: To describe the epidemiology and outcome of the first 100 COVID-19 cases in Taiwan. Methods: We included the first 100 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Taiwan. Demographic, clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data were extracted from outbreak investigation reports and medical records. Results: Illness onset of the 100 patients was during January 11 to March 16, 2020. Twenty-nine (29%) had at least one underlying condition and ten (10%) were asymptomatic. Seventy-one were imported, including four clusters. Twenty-nine were locally-acquired, including four clusters. The median days from onset to report was longer in locally-acquired cases (10 vs 3 days). Three patients died (case fatality rate 3%) and all of them had underlying conditions. As of May 13, 2020, 93 had been discharged in stable condition; the median hospital stay was 30 days (range, 10–79 days). Conclusion: The first 100 cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan showed the persistent threat of imported cases from different countries. Even though sporadic locally-acquired disease has been identified, through contact investigation, isolation, quarantine and implementation of social distancing measures, the epidemic is contained to a manageable level with minimal local transmission. ? 2020
Subjects
COVID-19; Epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; Taiwan
SDGs
Other Subjects
azithromycin; C reactive protein; D dimer; hydroxychloroquine; lopinavir plus ritonavir; adolescent; adult; adult respiratory distress syndrome; aged; anosmia; Article; artificial ventilation; asymptomatic infection; cardiovascular disease; case fatality rate; child; chronic lung disease; clinical feature; combination drug therapy; contact examination; controlled study; coronavirus disease 2019; coughing; diabetes mellitus; diarrhea; dysgeusia; epidemic; extracorporeal oxygenation; female; fever; hospital discharge; hospitalization; human; hypertension; hyposmia; infection control; influenza; leukocyte count; major clinical study; male; nausea and vomiting; pneumonia; septic shock; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; sore throat; Taiwan
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article