An Overview of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Risk Assessment, July, 2020

In late 2019, the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China, and subsequently spread worldwide. By July 11, 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 12,881,555 (including 599,146 deaths) in 187 countries/ territories. The pandemic has not reach its peak yet. The situations of epidemics in the United States, Central and South Americas, and South Asia were still serious. Some countries faced re-surging epidemic after lifting restrictions. In Taiwan, the first imported case and the indigenous case were reported on January 21, and 28, respectively. As of July 12, the cumulative number of confirmed cases was 451, including 360 imported cases, 55 indigenous cases, and another 36 cases of naval crew members aboard the Panshi fast combat support ship. Currently the COVID-19 cases in Taiwan were still sporadic imported cases. No locally-acquired case was found for more than 8 weeks. Based on the current epidemic status, the risks of imported cases are still high. The high transmissibility of the virus and the potential of community outbreak remained as a threat to Taiwan's health system and society. Therefore, the overall risk of COVID-19 is considered high domestically.