Coronavirus: as Diamond Princess cruise ship evacuees return from Japan, Hong Kong confirms 70th infection
- The 96-year-old woman was sent to hospital after having difficulty breathing
- Meanwhile, three more patients tested preliminarily positive, two of whom visited the same Buddhist temple as the newly confirmed patient
A third chartered flight evacuating residents from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan landed in Hong Kong early on Sunday, while an elderly woman on Saturday became the 70th person confirmed as infected with the deadly coronavirus in the city.
The latest airlift repatriating five more Hongkongers left Toyko at 1.45am local time and arrived soon after 6am, Hong Kong time.
The developments came as three more patients tested preliminarily positive, while two were discharged from hospital to become the ninth and tenth local patients sent home after contracting the bug.
Two of the preliminary patients and two of those confirmed as infected had all visited the same Buddhist temple on Hong Kong Island.
The newest confirmed patient, a 96-year-old woman, was sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, in Chai Wan, after having difficulty breathing.
She lives at Fly Dragon Terrace on Tin Hau Temple Road, and had visited the Fook Wai Ching She Buddhist worship hall at Maylun Apartments on King’s Road in North Point in January and February. The city’s 65th confirmed patient also recently visited the hall, health authorities said.