Taiwan confirms first coronavirus death on island, cases at 20

Taoyuan mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (left) taking part in a Taoist ceremony to prevent the COVID-Coronavirus at the Longde temple in Taoyuan. A taxi driver has died from the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak in Taiwan, marking the first such death on the island on Sunday (Feb 16) and the fifth fatality outside mainland China from an epidemic that has curbed travel and disrupted global supply chains. - AFP

TAIPEI: A taxi driver has died from the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak in Taiwan, marking the first such death on the island and the fifth fatality outside mainland China from an epidemic that has curbed travel and disrupted global supply chains.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said during a news conference on Sunday (Feb 16) that the deceased person was a 61-year-old man who had diabetes and hepatitis B. Taiwan has to date accumulated 20 confirmed cases.