Hong Kong reported its second fatality due to the coronavirus on Wednesday.A 70-year-old man died from coronavirus this morning, marking the second death from the disease in the city.
He was the 55th confirmed case in Hong Kong. According to the Centre of Health Protection, the patient, who was already suffering from “underlying illnesses”, such as diabetes and kidney problems, lived alone in Shek Lei (II) Estate, a public housing estate in Kwai Chung. He collapsed at home and was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital on February 12, where he presented with fever and desaturation and was admitted for management.
His respiratory sample tested positive for novel coronavirus and he was said to be in critical condition on February 14. He died on Wednesday at Princess Margaret Hospital.
A timeline of the coronavirus outbreak
The patient took a day trip to the mainland through the Lok Ma Chau Control Point on January 22. Since February 2, the man had developed malaise, shortness of breath and cough with sputum.
In regard to the latest death, Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said at the Legislative Council today, “In general, the current outbreak is under control. Yet, we also can’t take it lightly, since we’re also seeing cases of local transmission.”
More details will be revealed by the Department of Health and Hospital Authority at a press conference at 4pm today.
The first death in the city was a 39-year-old man who was also treated at Princess Margaret Hospital. He died on February 4 due to sudden heart failure. According to the Centre for Health Protection, he began having a fever on January 31, one week after the came back from a trip to Wuhan via the High-Speed Rail.