Jockey Club member is 85th Covid patient

The Jockey Club says several of its facilities at Happy Valley will be closed indefinitely. Image: Shutterstock

A Hong Kong Jockey Club member has been confirmed to have the Covd-19 virus, forcing the club to close several facilities at its Happy Valley clubhouse.



The Centre for Health Protection confirmed late on Tuesday that the 60-year-old woman, who lives in Tai Hang, had tested positive for the virus. She's the 85th person diagnosed in the SAR.



The club said in a statement on Tuesday that the member had informed it earlier that day of a positive test.



The 60-year-old woman gave a preliminary positive test after seeking treatment at the private Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital. She was confirmed to have the virus after being transferred to the public Queen Mary Hospital, where she was in a stable condition.



She'd first consulted a private doctor on February 12 and was admitted to the private hospital on February 24. She lives with her husband, son and two domestic helpers.



The club said the member used its clubhouse gym on February 11 and visited its food plaza and LEVADE shopping area at Happy Valley on Valentine's Day.



It's now closed those facilities, as well as the nearby Six Furlong restaurant and the swimming pool and changing rooms, until further notice.



Club employees who worked in the facilities on the day the member visited them have been told to self-quarantine for 14 days.



The Sanatorium and Hospital said the patient had been coughing for two weeks. She was kept in a private room during her stay at the hospital.



Three other patients were diagnosed earlier in the day.



The Jockey Club has already been hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak. It's closed off-course betting facilities and cancelled the Mark 6 lottery, while race meetings have been open only to a handful of officials and horse owners.