The Hospital Authority today said two COVID-19 patients passed away, taking the number of COVID-19 patients who died in public hospitals to 161.

One of them, an 80-year-old female patient with chronic illness and close contact history was admitted to the isolation ward of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on November 29 due to a fever and cough.

Her condition continued to deteriorate and she was transferred to the intensive care unit on December 1. She passed away last night.

The second patient, a 67-year-old man with chronic diseases was sent to the same hospital’s accident & emergency department on December 10 due to shortness of breath.

He subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the intensive care unit. He passed away this afternoon.