Amid Semiconductor Supply Shortage, TSMC Reports 3 COVID-19 Cases

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Amid the ongoing global semiconductor supply shortage, a COVID-19 case has been confirmed at TSMC, the world's largest foundry (contract manufacturing) company based in Taiwan.

According to local media such as Liberty Times on the 13th, the government of Hsinchu City in central Taiwan confirmed that a worker in his 30s at the TSMC factory located in Hsinchu County tested positive for COVID-19 the previous day. Following expanded testing, two additional positive cases were identified, bringing the total to three confirmed COVID-19 cases.

In response, testing and disinfection measures were carried out for all employees residing in the company dormitory in Hsinchu City.

The health authorities requested that 26 passengers who were on the same express bus as the infected individual in his 30s, identified through CCTV footage at the express bus terminal, voluntarily report themselves.

They also added that PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and self-quarantine measures were implemented for about 100 close contacts.

Furthermore, disinfection was conducted at locations visited by the confirmed cases, and PCR tests for several hundred employees will be completed within two days, followed by multiple rapid tests over the next week.

They stated that the incident would not affect company operations and that enhanced quarantine measures would be implemented through split shifts and remote work.

Some local media reported that among the three confirmed cases, an engineer working on the 8-inch wafer (semiconductor substrate) production line, which has seen increased demand recently, was also included at the TSMC factory.

Meanwhile, Taiwan reported 24 new confirmed cases the previous day, bringing the cumulative total to 15,273 cases and 741 deaths.

According to United Daily News as of 3:05 PM on the 12th, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered was 3,565,840, with a nationwide vaccination rate of 14.87%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.