I am a COVID-19 confirmed case in Taiwan. What must I do now?

Last Updated on 12-30-2023

While we all know that Taiwan could not maintain its zero local COVID cases forever, not even the greatest betting man would have predicted that daily local cases in Taiwan would rise to such astronomical figures. What is the relationship between Taiwan’s COVID-19 and betting man you may be asking? Well, the answer is quite simple. In betting the higher the grand total to be won, the riskier the bet. The same logic can be applied to Taiwan. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Taiwan, the risk of you contracting the virus increases significantly. If you are one of the unlucky ones you might have contracted the virus already. In this article, I will attempt to explain in simple terms what you should do if you test positive for COVID-19 (confirmed case) in Taiwan.

The definition of COVID-19 confirmed case in Taiwan

As reported by the CECC in Taiwan you are a considered a confirmed COVID-19 case if and only if:

1. You have a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test result which was conducted by medical personnel. Or,
2. You have taken a rapid test and the result is positive. If the test result is confirmed by a medical professional to be positive and both of you are in agreement, then you are considered a confirmed COVID-19 case.

I am a confirmed case of COVID-19. What steps should I follow?

Moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms

If you develop moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms in Taiwan, you are required to call 119 and notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has COVID-19 and needs medical attention immediately.

If your symptoms are moderate to severe you will need to be isolated in a hospital for a period of time.

No to mild COVID-19 symptoms

In Taiwan, if you are a confirmed COVID-19 case with no to mild symptoms, you will be arranged to be sent to a hospital, government quarantine facility, enhanced quarantine hotel or be allowed to stay home and practice home-care. The location of your isolation will depend on your age, severity of your symptoms amongst other factors.

Undergoing isolation at a hospital

If you fall into one of the following categories, you will be required to undergo isolation at a hospital in Taiwan for 7 days.

• Individuals who develop moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms
• Infants under 3 months with a fever
• If it is deemed necessary by a doctor

All individuals who complete isolation at the hospital are required to practice self-health management at home for another 7 days.

Undergoing home isolation

If you meet either of the two categories listed below, you will be required to isolate yourself at home if you are considered a confirmed COVID-19 case in Taiwan.

• Kids who do not meet the requirements of going to a hospital
• Individuals under the age of 69

Undergoing isolation at an enhanced government quarantine facility / enhanced quarantine hotel

Most likely, if you experience no to mild symptoms and you do not meet the requirements to undergo isolation at home, you may just fall into the category of individuals who need to isolate at an enhanced government facility or an enhanced quarantine hotel. The criteria to be met is as follows:

• Individuals 70 years old or older
• Individuals who are 65-69 years old and live alone
• Individuals who are 36 or more weeks pregnant
• Kids and adults who do not meet home criteria. Kids can be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Infants 3-12 months old with a fever above 39 degrees celsius

7+7 isolation regulations if you test positive for COVID-19 in Taiwan

Regardless of the facility, if you test positive for COVID-19 in Taiwan you will be required to undergo 7 days of isolation followed by 7 days of self-health management. Individuals doing isolation at a hospital or government facility / enhanced quarantine hotel may be entitled for an earlier leave.

Criteria to be met to be released from isolation in Taiwan (no-mild symptoms)

Home Care – isolating at home

The only way to be released from home came in Taiwan, is if 7 days have passed since the date of your COVID-19 diagnosis or the onset of your symptoms.
After being released from home care you are required to undergo 7 days of self health management.

Isolating at a hospital / enhanced government quarantine facility / enhanced quarantine hotel

Unlike home isolation, the criteria to be met to be released from the hospital or isolation in a government quarantine facility or enhanced quarantine hotel appear to be less strict. The conditions to be met are as follows:

You experience no symptoms or your current symptoms have been dispersed and:

1. You have two negative rapid test results taken by a medical professional over a period of 5 days after testing positive for COVID-19. Or,
2. 7 days have passed since you tested positive for the COVID-19.

Confirmed cases who have been discharged will be required to undergo self-health management.

Criteria to be met to be discharged from isolation (moderate-severe symptoms)

If you develop moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms then most likely you will be undergoing isolation at a hospital in Taiwan. If your moderate to severe symptoms have been relieved, you will need to test negative on a PCR test in order to be released from the hospital.

I am a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case in Taiwan, what should I do?

What is a close contact?

As defined by Taiwan’s CECC, close contacts are relatives, friends, and roommates who live in the same residence.

Close contacts of COVID-19 cases who have received three jabs of a COVID-19 vaccine recognized by the Taiwan government can opt to undergo 7 days of self-initiated epidemic prevention (‘0+7’) policy instead of 3 days of home isolation followed by 4 days of self-initiated epidemic prevention (‘3+4’) policy.

Close contacts who have not received three jabs of a COVID-19 recognized by the Taiwan government are required to undergo 3 days of home isolation plus 4 days of self initiated epidemic prevention. (‘3+4’) policy.

Explaining Taiwan ‘3+4’ policy

If you are a close contact who has NOT received three jabs of a COVID vaccine then you will be required to undergo home isolation under the ‘3+4’ plan. The ‘3’ means three days of home isolation, followed by the ‘4’ days of self-initiated epidemic prevention. During the three-day home isolation, you must stay at home and abide by the principle of ‘one person per room’ and never venture out.

To protect yourself and others, you can opt to do a rapid test to know whether you have contracted the virus or not; it is not mandatory. During your 3 day isolation period, if you were to develop any COVID-19 symptoms you are advised to follow this guide.

It should be noted that if you test positive on a rapid test during this period then you will no longer need to follow the ‘3+4’ plan. You would need to set up an online appointment with a doctor or pay them a visit in person to confirm your rapid test result. If fortune favors the strong and you did not test positive during this period you are free to move on to 4 days of self initiated epidemic prevention.

Rules for self-initiated epidemic prevention period

1. A rapid test should be taken every day during this period. Individuals who test negative can go out to work or to buy daily necessities.
2. Masks must be worn at all times when outside.
3. Dining at restaurants, eating out with other people, attending gatherings, and visiting crowded places or places where they come into contact with non-specific persons are prohibited.
4. Individuals testing positive on rapid tests are banned from taking public transportation, but they can visit community testing sites for PCR testing by driving or riding themselves or riding with their friends or relatives (both parties must wear masks at all times). If the testing site is nearby, they can also go there on foot directly without having to await instructions of health authorities. They can also follow the instructions of their local health authorities on seeking medical attention for people testing positive by rapid test.

Individuals who have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can undergo self-initiated epidemic prevention for 7 days and adhere to the rules listed above. While you are free to go about your life as normal, it is advised to proceed with caution.