Enhancing Data Linkage to Break the Chain of Coronavirus Spread: The Taiwan Experience.

UNSTRUCTURED: Digital technology has been widely used in health care system and disease management, as well as controlling the spread of coronavirus. As one of the most successful countries in fighting against COVID-19, Taiwan successfully use digital technology to strengthen the COVID-19 epidemic prevention. Since we have a well-established National Health Insurance System (NHIS), which provides a great opportunity to develop a nation-wide data linkage model in an agile way. This Viewpoint provides an overview of the application of data linkage models for strategies in combating COVID-19 in Taiwan, including NHIS centralized data linkage systems and "from border to community" information-driven data linkage systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we discuss that science technologies play a dual role of being an "enabler" and a "driver" in early prevention. Lastly, Taiwan' experience in applying digital technology to enhance COVID-19 control will highlight lessons and opportunities for other countries to handle the COVID-19 situation better.