The Hospital Authority today said an 85-year-old female patient has passed away, taking the number of COVID-19 patients who died in public hospitals to 177.

The patient was admitted to United Christian Hospital on December 14 due to terminal illness. She subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. 

After treatment, the patient tested positive for an antibody and was released from isolation by the Department of Health on January 28.

However, her condition continued to worsen and she passed away yesterday morning.