Coronavirus: Hong Kong confirms first death

A 39-year-old patient has become the first to die in Hong Kong after being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus.

The man, who was being treated in Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung, died on Tuesday morning due to sudden heart failure, according to three medical sources.

He was previously identified as Hong Kong’s 13th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus originating in the mainland China city of Wuhan, reports South China Morning Post.

The Whampoa Garden resident had been to Wuhan on January 21 and returned to Hong Kong two days later via the express rail, before developing a fever on January 31.

The man was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei on the same day, where he was confirmed to be infected.

He had underlying health issues, according to information previously disclosed by the Centre for Health Protection.

The deceased man had lived in Whampoa Garden with his mother, the government had revealed earlier.

She was confirmed on February 2 as Hong Kong’s 15th case, but did not have a recent history of travel.

The Hospital Authority confirmed at about 10.30am on Tuesday the man had died in Princess Margaret Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

More details would be revealed in a joint press conference held by the authority and the Centre for Health Protection at 4.30pm, a spokesman added.