A 31-year-old woman, previously infected with the new coronavirus on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship and recovered in Japan has tested positive again.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said the woman is chronically ill. She was confirmed in Japan on February 18 and her mother was also confirmed.

After testing negative on March 4 and 6, she flew on NH811 flight back to Hong Kong. A sample was taken from her during follow up at the Queen Mary Hospital yesterday and she tested positive today.

Her father, brother and helper who live with her in Kennedy Town will be quarantined.