Taiwan: Man who traveled from Philippines has COVID-19

A 30-year-old man who resides in northern Taiwan and recently traveled to the Philippines tested positive for COVID-19, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control announced Thursday.

The man traveled to the Philippines with his friends from February 28 to March 3, according to the center.

In a separate development, a woman in Australia who is believed to have recently traveled to the Philippines has tested positive for COVID-19, the New South Wales (NSW) government confirmed Wednesday.

The woman in her 60s returned to Australia on Tuesday, according to the NSW Ministry of Health.

"Her travel details are being obtained and will be disclosed if she posed a risk to any other passengers on her flight," the Ministry said in a statement.

The Taiwanese experienced diarrhea while in the Philippines on Monday.

Upon his return to Taiwan the following day, the man went to a clinic due to dry throat and tiredness.

A hospital reported him as a suspected COVID-19 case on Wednesday.

The man is Taiwan’s 44th and latest confirmed case of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“Related investigation suggested it is an imported case linked to the Philippines,” the center said in a statement. —NB/LDF, GMA News