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The leading epidemiologist explains how Taiwan's long-planned response has so far contained the virus
Taiwan’s reaction to Covid-19 has been fast and effective. Despite its proximity to China, it has seen just 395 cases and six deaths. In an exclusive interview, Chen Chien-jen, the country’s vice-President and renowned epidemiologist, explains Taiwan’s coronavirus battleplan and the lessons it holds for Britain and the WHO. Answers have been edited for space.
What did Taiwan learn from Sars in 2003?
We learned a lot about prudent action, rapid response and early deployment.
It’s important to monitor emerging infectious diseases, especially in this region because we are near to China. In addition to SARS, there was an H1N1 Avian Flu in 2005, an H7N9 Avian Flu and now Covid-19.
Secondly, we announce a travel alert if necessary and thirdly, we optimize border quarantine to identify imported cases. This time when we knew there was an atypical pneumonia - meaning an infectious lung disease without known cause, where the patient is isolated and there is likely human-to-human transmission - we implemented on-board quarantine for all passengers flying from Wuhan.
Then there is 14-day home quarantine for close contacts of passengers from affected areas. During SARS we found that hospital-acquired infection was very dangerous so we upgraded the healthcare system to provide isolation rooms and a national network of health care centres for infectious diseases. This strategy has to be planned before an outbreak.
An adequate supply of PPE is important. In 2002, we ran short of N95 face masks so we knew we needed a face mask rationing system and to increase production. We now produce more than 13 million a day and are expecting to push this up to 15m.
Then there’s health education about home quarantine or what children have to do at school. This and risk communication must be transparent.
How many critical care beds do you have?
At full capacity, we have 20,000 isolation rooms, and 14,000 ventilators.
We also set up a National Epidemic Command Centre because outbreak control is an inter-ministerial effort and it is essential to coordinate. It’s very important that everyone in the country has to be involved-the government and the people.
Can Taiwan’s pandemic strategy be successfully replicated in bigger countries?...