TAIPEI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) - Taiwan confirmed the 17th novel coronavirus pneumonia case, the island's epidemic monitoring agency said Saturday.

(File photo)

The patient, together with his parents, had flown to Italy via Hong Kong on Jan. 22 and returned to Taiwan on Feb. 1 also via Hong Kong. He had a cough on Jan. 27 in Italy, according to the agency at a press conference.

The patient's parents, a couple in their 50s living in northern Taiwan, had been confirmed to be infected by the virus Thursday.

As of Friday, Taiwan has 124 suspected cases under quarantine. One confirmed case of recovery was released from the hospital Thursday while the rest are in stable condition.

In wake of the epidemic, the island's mainland affairs department announced Saturday that direct passenger shipping services across the Taiwan Strait will be suspended from Feb. 10.