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Celebrity chef Floyd Cardoz has died because of the coronavirus ... this after checking into a hospital and succumbing to an infection, according to his family.

The "Top Chef Masters" star's death was confirmed to Indian media outlet, Scroll.in, with members of his family saying Floyd died Wednesday at a facility in New Jersey -- where he'd been getting treated upon returning from an international trip to Mumbai earlier this month.

He admitted himself after feeling feverish, and then later ... testing positive for coronavirus in New York, per Hunger Inc. -- the parent company that ran his restaurants abroad. Floyd also addressed his hospitalization on Instagram ... just a few short days ago.

Cardoz had been featured as a contestant on 'TCM' for several episodes in 2011. He also starred on "Iron Chef America," "After Hours with Daniel Boulud," "Reservations Required," "Worst Cooks in America," "Big Morning Buzz Live," as well as appearances on talk shows like 'Rachel Ray.'

Some of his fellow 'Top Chefs' paid tribute to him after hearing the news, such as Padma Lakshmi who wrote of her contemporary ... "@floydcardoz made us all so proud. Nobody who lived in NY in the early aughts could forget how delicious and packed Tabla always was. He had an impish smile, an innate need to make those around him happy, and a delicious touch. This is a huge loss..."

He was known for his Mumbai restaurants, the Bombay Canteen and O Pedro. Floyd also had restaurants in NYC.

Floyd was 59.

Howie Mandel has a warning for anyone even thinking of interacting with him ... and all you need to do to heed the warning is take a hard look at his noggin.

The famed "AGT" germophobe took a stroll Friday with the words "Do Not Disturb" emblazoned on his hat.

Howie's gotta be having a hard time dealing with the coronavirus pandemic ... for decades he's had blinding fear of contracting illnesses .... some of that fear was phantom, but this is starkly real.

You'll recall, we got Howie out a week ago -- before "AGT" was shut down -- and he wasn't taking any chances. There's a good reason, too -- his fellow-"AGT" judge Heidi Klum took ill on the set and went home. Last we heard she hadn't gotten results from her coronavirus test.

Heidi Klum has someone who knows a thing or 2 about germs rooting for her -- fellow "AGT" judge Howie Mandel.

Howie arrived Friday for a taping of "AGT" and intertwined digits as he strolled inside to film without an audience. Earlier in the week, the audience was 2,500 strong, but no more.

As for Heidi ... TMZ broke the story, she showed up for a taping earlier in the week but left without going on stage.

As for what's ailing Heidi, she explained ... "I just wanted you to know why I have not been sitting in my "America's Got Talent" seat ... It started all with a chill, feeling feverish, cough, runny nose. Ummm, I'm just not feeling good so that's why I've stayed home to not infect any other people."

As for the 800 elephants in the room -- i.e., coronavirus -- Heidi said, "I hope it's just a cold. I would love to do the corona test but there just isn't one here ... I've tried two different doctors and I just can't get one."

Fingers crossed.

The new 'Bachelorette' will have to wait just a bit longer to find her Prince Charming ... because production of the show has been halted thanks to coronavirus.

Sources on the show tell us contestants and crew working Clare Crawley's upcoming season were supposed to get into full filming Friday, but that has been delayed. We're told they hope to start things up on Sunday ... but that's not for sure yet.

38-year-old Crawley is the show's oldest star to date ... and was officially intro'd during the season finale of Peter Weber's season earlier this week.

Crawley likely won't mind pushing her start back if it means staying healthy and finding a better partner than Peter did. Weber first broke off his engagement to Hannah Ann Sluss before announcing he wanted to rekindle things with show runner-up Madison Prewett.

However, he and Prewett announced Thursday they were no longer going to try to make things work.

"America's Got Talent" is feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic ... the reality series is putting the kibosh on live audiences.

Sources confirm to TMZ ... 'AGT' will tape episodes without fans in the seats for the foreseeable future, due to fears over the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The decision comes on the heels of Heidi Klum falling ill on set and Howie Mandel showing up to work in a full hazmat suit.

As we first reported, Heidi felt physically ill before shooting 'AGT' in Pasadena on Tuesday, and she left the taping. When Heidi left, sources said the judges told the audience she had a case of suspected food poisoning, and Sofia Vergara cracked a joke about it.

Eric Stonestreet filled in for Heidi as a judge during Wednesday's taping.

Folks on social media are posting emails from 'AGT' about taping cancellations. The notices say, "Out of an abundance of caution, America's Got Talent is suspending all tapings with a studio audience until further notice."

As we first reported ... "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" scrapped live audiences over coronavirus fears, and "The Price Is Right" is going dark altogether for two weeks in the hopes the virus subsides by then.

"Riverdale" is shutting down because someone on the production has a very real concern about coronavirus exposure.

A rep for Warner Bros., which produces the CW show, tells TMZ ... it recently was made aware that a team member from the show recently came in contact with a person -- not on the production -- who tested positive for the coronavirus.

We're told that team member is receiving medical evaluation and out of an abundance of caution, production is currently being suspended. The rep adds, "We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and health agencies in Vancouver (where they shoot) to identify and contact all individuals who may have come into direct contact with our team member."

The news comes shortly after a slew of organizations took extraordinary caution to stem the rapidly-spreading disease. As we reported, the NCAA announced it will ban fans from the tournament.

'AGT' is having a rough go today -- first Howie Mandel shows up to set in a full hazmat suit ... and then we learned Heidi Klum was too ill to work.

Heidi showed up to shoot "America's Got Talent" in Pasadena Tuesday with a smile, but looks can be deceiving. She felt physically ill.

Only 3 judges entered the stage -- Heidi was missing. The judges told the audience she had a case of suspected food poisoning, and Sofia Vergara joked she had sent Heidi food last night. We've learned it was NOT food poisoning -- she just felt like crap.

Unclear what's ailing her, but people get sick all the time and it has nothing to do with the coronavirus.

Interesting ... there was a full audience for the taping today. TMZ broke the story, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" are now taping without an audience. Ditto for Wendy Williams and Dr. Phil's shows.

No word if Heidi's gonna dress like Howie the next time she arrives on set ...

Howie Mandel is taking coronavirus panic to the next level, or maybe we're all just not up to his level -- either way, he's prepared for a day on the job. At 'AGT' or Chernobyl!!!

The famous germophobe clearly isn't taking any chances with the deadly virus, and pulled up Tuesday to set rocking a full hazmat suit, gloves and, of course, a gas mask. Keep in mind, "America's Got Talent" shoots in Pasadena, CA ... not Wuhan.

But ya know Howie -- better safe than sorry. He's ready for COVID-19, plague or, more likely, a day's worth of jugglers, puppet acts and singers.

Howie's head-to-toe precautions make Rep. Matt Gaetz look pretty soft. Remember, the FL Congressman showed up on the House floor last week wearing a gas mask during a vote for coronavirus funding. It looked extreme, but Mandell just put that to shame.

As we first told you ... the coronavirus scare has crept its way to 2 of the most popular shows on TV -- "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" -- so it makes sense Howie would take this approach.

He's not one for simple handshakes under the best of conditions.

"The Bachelor" desperately wants to continue taping its 'After the Final Rose' show in front of a live studio audience, but hardcore fans first gotta come clean about the coronavirus.

TMZ's learned all guests attending the show Monday night were handed a COVID-19 disclosure form which gets straight to the point saying, "we are asking all guests to confirm they have not traveled within the past three weeks to or through a location that has been deemed 'Level 3' by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control."

In case audience members aren't plugged in ... the form, obtained by TMZ, lists the hot zones -- including Italy, Iran and China.

Producers also want guests to acknowledge they have not exhibited any coronavirus symptoms or even been in close contact, within 6 feet, with someone else exhibiting symptoms.

Part 2 of 'The Final Rose' is airing Tuesday night as well, and the audience attending will be asked to sign the same form.

For those who can't confirm any of what's in the form, producers say they "are happy to work with you to re-book audience tickets for a later date." The virus is now an issue for TV audiences all over Hollywood.