In Taiwan, the cutoff value for a positive test is a CT value of under 35, but he suspected the Philippines may be using a cutoff value of 40, given that six people returning from Taiwan were reported to be positive.
The CECC also has its doubts because after identifying 122 contacts of the six people in Taiwan, the CECC carried out both PCR and blood tests on them to test for the virus or antibodies, and all of the tests were negative.
The CECC will hold an experts meeting in the future to decide if they will close the case, Chuang said, without specifying a specific date.
Despite the CECC's doubts, the Philippines representative office in Taiwan has decided to suspend any mass gatherings, and it shut down its offices in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung for disinfection for a few days last week.