Hong Kong health authorities on Wednesday morning confirmed the first death in the special coronary pneumonia.

The male patient, aged 39, treated at Princess Margaret Kwai Chung Hospital, died on the morning of February 4 due to heart failure, the result of nCoV pneumonia.

This person has been confirmed as the 13th case in Hong Kong to be infected with nCoV. He arrived in Wuhan City on January 21 and returned 10 days later by bullet train. When abnormal, he was taken to treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, tested positive for nCoV.

According to health officials, patients have "potential health problems".

Currently, Hong Kong has 15 cases positive for corona virus. The special zone government closed six of its 15 border checkpoints, and also refused to accept customs clearance from Wuhan City, the first outbreak.

In the past few days, Hong Kong has faced a shortage of medical masks due to strong demand of people, amid the unpredictable disease situation. Hundreds of medical staff of the special zone also went on strike, demanding closure of the border with mainland China. However, officials say this is contrary to recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Coronary pneumonia has spread to 31 provinces in China and more than 20 countries. As of February 4, the number of people dying of coronary pneumonia increased to 427, mainly in China. More than 20,000 people became ill, far exceeding the SARS outbreak in 2002.