Taiwan airport cluster of Covid-19 infections climbs to 25

More than 8,000 airport workers are being tested to identify potential cases that have spread to communities. PHOTO: ST FILE

TAIPEI (XINHUA) - Taiwan reported 11 new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases on Sunday (Jan 9), bringing the total confirmed cases related to the Taoyuan International Airport cluster infections to 25, the island's disease monitoring agency said.

The new confirmed cases include airport cleaners, employees handling luggage carts and a taxi driver tasked with taking passengers to and from quarantine facilities, as well as relatives of people who have contracted the disease.

Given the rising number of cases originating at the airport, more than 8,000 airport workers are being tested to identify potential cases that have spread to communities, the agency said.

The current level two Covid-19 alert, which was due to expire on Monday, will be extended for another two weeks to Jan 24, it noted.

The face mask mandate - which was tightened in Taoyuan earlier this week because of locally transmitted infections identified at the airport - will now apply across the island, which means that people must wear masks when they exercise, sing and take photos, for instance, it added.

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