The Hospital Authority today said two COVID-19 patients have passed away, taking the number of COVID-19 patients who died in public hospitals to 191.

One of the patients, a 57-year-old man was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on December 7 due to a fever and shortness of breath. He then tested positive for COVID-19.

His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) on December 20 and January 7.

The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and he passed away this morning.

Another patient, a 68-year-old man with chronic diseases who tested preliminary positive for COVID-19 was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on January 14.

He was transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital’s ICU for isolation treatment on the same day.

His antibody test result for COVID-19 was positive and he was released from the isolation order by the Department of Health on February 5, after which he continued to be hospitalised at the ICU.

The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and he died this evening.