Taipei, Nov. 26 (CNA) Nine more staff members at Taiwan's representative office in the United States tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday (U.S. time), after two cases were reported the previous day, forcing the closure of the office's consular hall, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The office has arranged for all staff to take a second test to confirm the results and the building has been closed for disinfecting, MOFA said Thursday (Taipei time), adding that consular services are currently being processed by mail only.

After two staff members were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday, the Washington office arranged tests for their close contacts which returned a further nine positive results, MOFA said.

Taiwan's representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim, who had contact with some of the infected staff members, has tested negative and been in self-isolation at home, according to MOFA.

Staff members who came into contact with the infected staff members have also been asked to self-isolate and work from home.

The same office reported one COVID-19 case on Oct. 22.

Meanwhile, the members of a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi that visited Washington from Nov. 17-20 for the first U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue tested negative for COVID-19 three days prior to boarding the flight back to Taiwan, according to Chen.

The delegation members returned to Taiwan on Nov. 22 and are currently undergoing 14 days of quarantine.

MOFA said it has discussed with Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center and the Centers for Disease Control the possibility of providing online consultations for staffers at the representative office.