File photo: CGTN

TAIPEI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Three more people tested positive of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the outbreak involving three naval vessels, Taiwan's epidemic monitoring agency said Tuesday.

The total number of naval service personnel and cadets contracting COVID-19 in this outbreak increased to 27, the agency said in a press release.

The latest patients, a serviceman, a service woman and a male cadet, developed symptoms from March 23 to April 5, the statement said.

The fleet of three naval vessels, with more than 700 people on board, returned to Taiwan on April 15 after a short stop at Palau from March 12 to 15 and nearly 30 days of sail. A majority of people on board disembarked before the first three tested positive of the virus on April 18.

The authorities identified 349 people having contacts with the patients and put 187 of them under quarantine at their residences, the statement said.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in Taiwan has risen to 425, 217 of whom have recovered and six died.