Focus Taiwan
Date: 04/15/2020
By: Chang Ming-hsuan and Matthew Mazzetta

Taipei, April 15 (CNA) Although the COVID-19 coronavirus is currently at a "controllable" level in Taiwan, precluding the need for universal testing, the government is considering mandating tests for all travelers returning from certain high risk locations overseas, Deputy Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan (薛瑞元) said Wednesday.

During a hearing at the Legislative Yuan, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) asked Hsueh why the government did not take advantage of the recent lull in new cases to begin testing for the virus on a larger scale in Taiwan.

In response, Hsueh said universal testing, which he likened to "fishing with a net," is usually only necessary when a virus is spreading uncontrollably through communities.

Another disadvantage of universal testing is that it causes people to let their guard down, which, in cases where tests show "false negative" results, can create the risk of community transmission, Hsueh said.    [FULL  STORY]