TAIPEI, March 20 (Xinhua) - The total number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Taiwan has increased by 27 to 135, the biggest growth since the first confirmed case on Jan. 21, according to the island's epidemic monitoring agency Friday.

Motorcyclists wearing face masks to prevent the COVID-19 coronavirus, ride during the peak hours while heading to work in Taipei on March 18, 2020.(Photo: AFP)

Among the new patients, 24 people were believed to have contracted the virus during their trips overseas, and the other three patients were infected locally, the agency said in a press release.

One of the three local cases, a teenage girl, was believed to be infected by her high school classmate, a previously confirmed patient, while the infection sources of the other two patients are under investigation, the statement said.

One of the confirmed patients, a man in his 80s, died of the COVID-19 and septicemia Friday, the agency said, adding that the patient used to have chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension and chronic renal failure.

Among the island's confirmed COVID-19 cases, 102 were imported. Twenty-eight of the confirmed patients have recovered, and two died of the disease. The rest are in stable condition.