Taipei-Seven members of Taiwan’s team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the Sports Administration (SA) said Saturday.

Of the seven players, five were confirmed with the virus after taking a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, while the other two returned positive rapid tests, SA competitive athletics division director Lan Kun-ten (???) told CNA.

In addition, one accompanying member of the delegation also tested positive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India is providing assistance to the delegation, MOFA said.

The symptoms experienced by the eight individuals are mild, and all members of the delegation have been fully vaccinated with 2 jabs of COVID-19 vaccines and a booster inoculation, Lan said.

The SA is in communication with the team, Lan said, and has discussed the matter with the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, MOFA, as well as local airlines, to come up with the quickest and safest way to bring the delegation safely back to Taiwan after the conclusion of the games on Sunday.

Options being considered to bring the delegation back to Taiwan before Feb. 8, include the possible use of charter or medical flights, Lan added.

The plan to bring the team back using such flights came following an instruction from President Tsai Ing-wen (???) on Friday after she was briefed on the situation.

Despite being seven players short, Taiwan is still on track to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 3-0 win against Thailand in the playoffs Friday.

A draw against Vietnam on Sunday will be enough for Taiwan to secure an automatic berth for the FIFA Women’s World Cup which is being held in Australia & New Zealand in August 2023.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel