On Monday, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported a total of 333 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, 148 of which were from New Taipei, the most populous city in Taiwan, including 41 from Banqiao District.
Since Saturday, the number of locally transmitted cases in New Taipei has risen to 320, CECC data showed.
Mayor Hou Yu-ih told the media after an epidemic control meeting Monday that the city decided to make public these hotspots of infection because the electronic footprints of people later found to be infected were sizable and people should be informed.
The hotspots were being publicized rather than the specific movements of each patient because providing details of each person's movements would be too complicated.
The footprints of the infected mostly appeared at traditional markets and in parks, the mayor said, listing the following hotspots:
May 7 Xuefu Market in Tucheng (土城學府市場)
May 10 Tucheng Stadium (土城綜合運動場)
May 10 Xuefu Market in Tucheng (土城學府市場)
May 10 Jen'ai Park in Yonghe (永和仁愛公園)
May 10 Sanchong Fruit and Vegetable Market (三重果菜市場)
May 11 Minde Park in Zhonghe District and a market nearby (民德公園及旁邊市場)
May 11 Shuiliu Gong Market in Sanchung (三重水流宮市場)
May 11 Qingxi Park in Tucheng (土城清溪公園)
May 12 Sanxia public market (三峽公有市場)
May 12 Qingxi Park in Tuncheng (土城清溪公園)
May 12 RT-Mart Zhonghe store on Fuxiang Road (中和大潤發福祥路)
May 13 Qingxi Park in Tucheng (土城清溪公園)
May 13 Minde Park and nearby market (民德公園及旁邊市場)
May 13 Yonghe Ren'ai Park (永和仁愛公園)
May 14 Banqiao Xinglong Market (板橋興隆市場)
May 15 Banqiao Reiyi Market on Lane 249, Section 2, Sichuan Road, Banqiao (板橋瑞億市場,板橋四川路2段249巷)
May 15 Banqiao Guoqing Evening Market (板橋國慶黃昏市場)
To date, Banqiao has had the most cases of any district in the city at 94, followed by 44 in Sanchong District, 41 in Yonghe District, 36 in Tucheng District, 29 in Xinzhuang, and 23 in Luzhou District, Hou said.
The mayor said epidemic control measures will be tightened at markets, which have apparently been a center of virus transmission.
The number of people flowing in and out of the markets will be strictly controlled, he said, and he urged residents to refrain from visiting these hotspots and get a COVID-19 test if they develop symptoms.
The mayor said the city will open two more community testing stations in addition to the one currently set up at the Banqiao branch of New Taipei City Hospital.
There also are 17 hospitals in New Taipei that offer COVID-19 testing services, he added.
