Hong Kong: Health official announces second coronavirus-related fatality February 19 /update 10

A hospital spokeswoman confirmed the second coronavirus-related fatality in Hong Kong on February 19; further spread of the virus expected in the near term
Read all related news alert(s):
Hong Kong: Government increases COVID-19 restrictive measures from December 2 /update 44
Hong Kong: Travel Bubble with Singapore postponed until December 6 /update 43
Hong Kong: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions from October 30 /update 42
Hong Kong: Authorities add UK to list of high-risk travel countries from October 1 /update 41
Hong Kong: Authorities further ease some restrictions September 18 /update 40
Hong Kong: Authorities to ease restrictions on public gatherings September 11 /update 39
Hong Kong: Some COVID-19 measures extended until August 25 /update 38
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Hong Kong: Authorities announce increased COVID-19 restrictions from July 29 /update 36
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Hong Kong: Authorities to introduce new entry restrictions on July 25 /update 34
Hong Kong: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions on July 19 /update 33
Hong Kong: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions July 14 /update 32
Hong Kong: Schools to close on July 13 amid new COVID-19 outbreak /update 31
Hong Kong: Ban on gatherings of more than 50 people extended until July 14 as other COVID-19 measures eased /update 30
Hong Kong: Gatherings of up to 50 people permitted from June 19 /update 29
Hong Kong: Authorities extend travel restrictions June 2 /update 28
Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Airport to resume transit services from June 1 amid COVID-19 pandemic /update 27
Hong Kong: Authorities extend COVID-19 gatherings restrictions to June 4 /update 26
Hong Kong: Authorities to announce relaxation of public gathering rules on May 5 /update 25
Hong Kong: Restrictions on travel from mainland China to be eased April 29 /update 24
Hong Kong: Social distancing measures extended to May 7 /update 23
Hong Kong: HK Express extends flight suspensions through June 18 due to COVID-19 /update 22
Hong Kong: Authorities extend social distancing measures until April 23 /update 21
Hong Kong: Government extends entry ban on non-residents April 6 /update 20
Hong Kong: Authorities enact stricter social distancing measures April 3 /update 19
Hong Kong: Authorities order additional venue closures for 14 days April 1 /update 18
Hong Kong: Government bans public gatherings from March 29 /update 17
Hong Kong: Government closes borders to all non-residents from March 25 /update 16
Hong Kong: Government orders mandatory home-quarantine for all travelers March 17 /update 15
Hong Kong: Mandatory quarantine for travelers from Europe and other countries March 17, 19 /update 14
Hong Kong: Mandatory quarantine for travelers from five countries March 10 /update 13
Hong Kong: Authorities introduce additional measures to contain COVID-19 spread March 1 /update 12
Hong Kong: Authorities bar non-resident arrivals from South Korea to contain COVID-19 spread February 25 /update 11
Hong Kong: Government extends school closures until March 16 due to COVID-19 /update 9
Hong Kong: Protests reported over quarantine center locations February 8-11 /update 8
Hong Kong: Government to place all mainland China arrivals into home quarantine due to 2019-nCoV February 5 /update 7
Hong Kong: Medical workers continue to strike February 5 /update 6
Hong Kong: First coronavirus (2019-nCoV) death recorded in Hong Kong February 4 /update 5
Hong Kong: Almost all border crossings with mainland China close February 3 /update 4
Hong Kong: Public health workers begin coronavirus-related strike February 3 /update 3
Hong Kong: Public transportation suspended as of January 30 due to coronavirus 2019-nCoV January 28 /update 2
Hong Kong: Authorities block residents of Hubei province from entering HKSAR January 26 /update 1
Hong Kong: Maximum health warning level implemented January 25
Event
A hospital spokeswoman announced the second fatality related to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Hong Kong on Wednesday, February 19, according to local media outlets. The individual was an elderly man with underlying illnesses that had tested positive for the virus and hospitalized since Wednesday, February 12.
Authorities announced that 106 of 364 Hong Kong residents that were in quarantine on the Diamond Princess in Yokohama port (Japan) have returned to Hong Kong as of the morning (local time) on Thursday, February 20. All the returning individuals were transported directly to a quarantine facility in where they are expected to stay for at least 14 days.
Border authorities have closed most crossing points with China since Monday, February 3, to prevent further spread of the virus. This was followed by an announcement by local authorities on Wednesday, February 5, that all arrivals from mainland China will be put into home quarantine for 14 days. Schools are due to remain closed until at least Monday, March 16.
Hong Kong has 62 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of February 20. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term.
Context
Widespread demonstrations across Hong Kong have been reported since February 4 in opposition to the administration's handling of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in 30 countries and territories worldwide. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
- If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
- Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments
In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, individuals are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid potential spread of the disease.
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