Taiwan records its first coronavirus death as global toll passes 1,600

Taiwan reported its first death from new coronavirus Sunday, as death toll from outbreak rose to 1,665 inside mainland China. A 61-year-old man from central Taiwan with underlying health problems but recent overseas travel history died in hospital on Saturday after testing positive for virus, officials confirmed.

It is fifth recorded death outside mainland China -- previous victims were in Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, and France.

"This latest case was an unlicensed taxi driver. His main clients were people who h been to China, Hong Kong and Macao," health and welfare minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters. Chen said authorities were examining driver's client list and ir travel history, in an attempt to trace possible source of infection.

A 50-year-old male relative of victim was later confirmed to have contracted virus, Chen ded, although he was t showing any symptoms. Taiwan's confirmed cases w stands at 20.

RE | Taiwan Plans To Spend T$2 Billion To Cushion Its Ecomy Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

France reported first coronavirus fatality outside Asia on Saturday, fuelling global concerns about epidemic.

Nearly 1,000 Taiwanese are still awaiting repatriation in Hubei province -- epicentre of outbreak -- after Beijing and Taipei accused each or of "political manipulation", causing delays.

Taiwan did fly 247 people from Hubei's capital Wuhan on mainland-owned China Eastern Airlines flight on 3 February. But how that evacuation was carried out caused disagreements.

relationship between two is complicated by fact that Beijing views Taiwanese people as its own citizens, t as foreign nationals. 

RE | Taiwan's Health Ministry Confirms First Coronavirus Death On Island

RE | Taipei To Manila: We're t An Infected China Area