Virus Outbreak: Centralized data management key to virus controlStaff Writer, with CNAAn article posted on a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site has highlighted Taiwan’s early steps to contain the spread of COVID-19, especially its coordination and use of data. “Of note, the centralized, real-time database of the country’s National Health Insurance (NHI) helped support disease surveillance and case detection,” the article said. Despite its proximity to China, where the COVID-19 outbreak originated, Taiwan has reported relatively fewer confirmed cases with five deaths. Globally, the virus has infected more than 1 million people in 188 nations, and more than 50,000 have died of the disease. “Unlike some other nations, in which cities and states fought against the outbreak alone, Taiwan strengthened cross-departmental collaboration on quarantines,” Chuang said.

Source: Taipei Times April 04, 2020 15:56 UTC