AFP, BEIJINGThe death toll from the COVID-19 outbreak yesterday surpassed 1,500 in China as France reported the first fatality outside Asia. In France, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist died from the disease, French Minister of Solidarity and Health Agnes Buzyn said. The death toll in China yesterday rose to 1,523 after 143 more people died in the country, mostly in Hubei Province. The Chinese National Health Commission yesterday reported 2,641 new cases of the COVID-19 strain, with the vast majority in Hubei. The number of new confirmed cases has been steadily falling outside Hubei, with 221 infections reported yesterday.

Source: Taipei Times February 15, 2020 15:56 UTC