Taiwan adds five COVID-19 cases, raising total to 393

TAIPEI, April 13 -- The total number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Taiwan has increased by five to 393, the island's epidemic monitoring agency said Monday.

All of the new patients were believed to have contracted the virus during trips overseas, the agency said in a press release.

Four of them had disembarked from the Coral Princess cruise ship in Miami of the United States and returned to Taiwan on April 11. A total of 12 passengers and 10 cruise staff had been infected by the virus and three passengers had died when the cruise ship docked at Miami on April 4.

The other patient developed symptoms on March 29 in the United States before returning to Taiwan on April 11, the statement said.

Among the island's confirmed COVID-19 cases, 338 were imported. A total of 114 confirmed patients have recovered and six died.

The agency also announced that the bans against the export and retailing of surgical masks will be extended to the end of June but the authorities might allow exports of other resources such as protective suits.