tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Chin Med Assoc
. 2020 Aug 7.
doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000411. Online ahead of print.
Analysis of community-acquired COVID-19 cases in Taiwan
Jui-Yao Liu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tzeng-Ji Chen[SUP] 1 2 3 [/SUP], Shinn-Jang Hwang[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: The demographic characteristics and transmission dynamics of the community-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Taiwan were analysed for more effective control and prevention of the community transmission of this novel disease.
Methods: Open-access data and press releases on COVID-19 in Taiwan were collected on the website of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. All 55 community-acquired cases of COVID-19 confirmed from January 28 to April 12, 2020 in Taiwan were included. Basic demographic characteristics, symptom presentation, infection source, route of identification, and transmission dynamics were analyzed.
Results: Of the 55 cases, 52.7% were female and 74.5% were between 20-59 years of age. One sixth (16.4%) of community-acquired cases were asymptomatic. More than half (58.2%) of the cases were identified via contact tracing. The median incubation period was 6 days (range 1 to 13 days) and the median serial interval was 4 days (range -3 to 24 days). Twenty-six cases (47.3%) were transmitted from pre-symptomatic cases, eleven cases (20%) from symptomatic cases, and two cases (3.6%) from an asymptomatic case. The contagious period of symptomatic cases was from 7 days before to 15 days after the onset of symptoms.
Conclusion: The high proportion of asymptomatic cases and the transmissibility in the pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic periods make control of COVID-19 challenging. Protective measures such as social distancing, wearing face masks, and hand washing are mandatory to prevent community transmission.
. 2020 Aug 7.
doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000411. Online ahead of print.
Analysis of community-acquired COVID-19 cases in Taiwan
Jui-Yao Liu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tzeng-Ji Chen[SUP] 1 2 3 [/SUP], Shinn-Jang Hwang[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 32796323
- DOI: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000411
Abstract
Background: The demographic characteristics and transmission dynamics of the community-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Taiwan were analysed for more effective control and prevention of the community transmission of this novel disease.
Methods: Open-access data and press releases on COVID-19 in Taiwan were collected on the website of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. All 55 community-acquired cases of COVID-19 confirmed from January 28 to April 12, 2020 in Taiwan were included. Basic demographic characteristics, symptom presentation, infection source, route of identification, and transmission dynamics were analyzed.
Results: Of the 55 cases, 52.7% were female and 74.5% were between 20-59 years of age. One sixth (16.4%) of community-acquired cases were asymptomatic. More than half (58.2%) of the cases were identified via contact tracing. The median incubation period was 6 days (range 1 to 13 days) and the median serial interval was 4 days (range -3 to 24 days). Twenty-six cases (47.3%) were transmitted from pre-symptomatic cases, eleven cases (20%) from symptomatic cases, and two cases (3.6%) from an asymptomatic case. The contagious period of symptomatic cases was from 7 days before to 15 days after the onset of symptoms.
Conclusion: The high proportion of asymptomatic cases and the transmissibility in the pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic periods make control of COVID-19 challenging. Protective measures such as social distancing, wearing face masks, and hand washing are mandatory to prevent community transmission.