Focus Taiwan
Date: 11/26/2020
By: Chen Yun-yu, Yang Shu-ching and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Nov. 26 (CNA) Nine more staff members at Taiwan's representative office in the United States tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday (U.S. time), after two cases were reported the previous day, forcing the closure of the office's consular hall, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The office has arranged for all staff to take a second test to confirm the results and the building has been closed for disinfecting, MOFA said Thursday (Taipei time), adding that consular services are currently being processed by mail only.

After two staff members were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday, the Washington office arranged tests for their close contacts which returned a further nine positive results, MOFA said.

Taiwan's representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), who had contact with some of the infected staff members, has tested negative and been in self-isolation at home, according to MOFA.    [FULL  STORY]