TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Over 4,000 people have undergone testing for COVID-19 in Taipei's Xinyi District amid a cluster infection detected over the weekend, with two cases confirmed so far, and a Shin Kong Mitsukoshi branch in the district has been closed after an employee tested positive for the virus.

Over 30 coronavirus cases in 13 households were reported near Xinyi District's Hulin Street and Yongchun Market from June 1 to 3, with Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on July 2 deeming the area a hot spot for infections. In an attempt to contain the outbreak, the Taipei City Government on Sunday (July 4) launched the “Hulin Special Project” (虎林專案) to mass screen residents of the area.

That day, the city government set up a screening station at Taipei Municipal Yong-Ji Elementary School and opened it up for the testing of nearby vendors and residents. As of 7 a.m. Monday morning (July 5), over 4,395 residents in the area have undergone testing, with the PCR results of 4,138 being released, reported CNA.

Thus far, two people have been diagnosed with COVID-19. This represents a positivity rate of 0.048 percent.

Also in Xinyi District, an employee working in the No. A11 building of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The store has been closed for disinfection, and the health department is working to trace the employee's contacts and recent movements.

In addition, Ko on Sunday said another hot spot is in the city's Zhongzheng District, where a dozen cases have been reported at a residential complex since May. Ko said that the Huilin Special Project had been extended to carry out testing in the area on Sunday.