CORONAVIRUS/CECC announces new local COVID-19 case, bringing total to 216

Taipei, March 24 (CNA) A French graduate student at a northern Taiwan university has been confirmed as the country's latest COVID-19 coronavirus case, bringing Taiwan's total number of cases to 216, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced late Tuesday.

The man, who is in his 30s, had been under home quarantine since March 17 after having contact with the 84th case, and sought medical treatment after developing a fever and cough on March 20, CECC Deputy Commander Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said in a press conference.

He was diagnosed on Tuesday and is currently being treated in a negative-pressure isolation room, Chuang said.

According to Chuang, the man was likely infected by the 84th case -- a French tourist whom he came into contact with at a friend's house on March 12.

The tourist developed a fever on March 16, and was subsequently diagnosed on March 18, he said.

The authorities have identified 29 classmates and teachers with whom the graduate student had contact before he entered home quarantine on March 17, all of whom are currently being monitored for symptoms, the CECC went on.

The latest case, which is classified as local in origin, comes after the CECC's announcement of 20 new imported cases at its daily press briefing on Tuesday.

Taiwan's 216 cases to date consist of 178 imported and 38 local cases, the command center said.