The Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong is pictured in this March 12, 2018 photo. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
HONG KONG - Hong Kong reported its second loss of life to COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the city's fatality tally to two.
According to the Hospital Authority, a 70-year-old man died in Princess Margaret Hospital. The man, who lived alone in Kwai Ching Shek Lei II, was believed to have visited the Chinese mainland via Lok Ma Chau checkpoint on Jan 22.
Health authorities were unable to ascertain the source of infection and believed that the man likely contracted the virus locally
ALSO READ: HK increases funds to tackle virus outbreak to HK$28b
Health authorities were unable to ascertain the source of infection and believed that he likely contracted the virus locally.
By the end of Tuesday, 62 confirmed cases, including one death, had been reported in the Hong Kong and four patients had been discharged after recovery.
READ MORE: HK reports first death from new coronavirus infection
Speaking in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday that more than 200 Hong Kong residents of total 352 stranded aboard Diamond Princess had indicated they would fly home via two chartered flights.
READ MORE: More HK patients confirmed aboard Diamond Princess
A third chartered flight to Japan was being considered, he said.
The government was trying to convince the rest to board the flights, he said. Those coming back would be required to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival.
The HK administration is urging Japanese authorities to give priority to Hong Kong residents so that they can fly home as early as Wednesday, Lee said.
The ship has been quarantined in the port of Yokohama since Feb 3 after a man, who disembarked in Hong Kong before it traveled to Japan, was diagnosed with the virus.
