Taiwan military vessels to be equipped with COVID-19 tests

Taipei, May 3 (CNA) Taiwan's military vessels will soon be equipped with quick Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, a method for rapidly diagnosing COVID-19, to prevent cluster spreading of the coronavirus, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said Sunday.

Chen, who also heads the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), made the announcement at a daily press briefing, following a recent cluster infection on board the Panshi Fast Combat Support Ship, part of a flotilla that carried out a goodwill mission to diplomatic ally Palau in March.

"After discussions with the defense ministry, we have decided to provide military ships with quick PCR tests," Chen said, adding that it is difficult to detect the virus on a long-range mission, especially without the necessary equipment.

​Read more: Focus Taiwan