CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan reports 5 new imported cases of COVID-19

Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) Taiwan reported five new imported cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, all involving female migrant workers from the Philippines and bringing the total number to 951 since the pandemic began, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

The five workers, aged between 20 and 40, arrived in Taiwan on Feb. 3, all of whom presented a negative test report upon arrival and did not show any symptoms of the disease, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said at a press briefing in Taipei.

The five women were tested for COVID-19 upon completing their 14-day mandatory quarantine Feb. 16 and all the results again were negative.

They subsequently observed an additional seven days of self-health management at a dormitory and each took a self-paid test Feb. 23, the results of which came back positive Thursday, according to Chen.

A total of 19 people have been identified as having come into contact with the five asymptomatic cases, Chen said, noting that all of them have been asked to undergo self-health management.

To date, Taiwan has reported 951 cases of COVID-19, of which 835 have been classified as imported.

Of the total, 906 people have recovered, nine have died and 36 remain in hospital, according to CECC statistics as of Thursday.