Lee was among the members of the Hong Kong team who travelled to France as part of preparations for the now-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which have been moved to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Their plans were to stay in France for training until May, but the COVID-19 outbreak saw them return to Hong Kong early.

Lee tested positive for the coronavirus on his return, along with team-mates Tsang Yee-ting and Chau Ka-him and coach Rida Bel-Lahsen.

Lee's colleagues have all recovered from the coronavirus and have each been released from hospital, but his stay continues with two negative tests required for him to be released.

"I thought I had recovered super fast," Lee told the South China Morning Post.

"I only had the symptoms for a short period of time.

"I felt normal after seven days and could even exercise, so I was expecting to be going home quite soon.

"It's been quite frustrating, I'm so close but still need to wait.

"In that time I've seen [British Prime Minister] Boris Johnson test positive and recover."

The Facebook page "We Are HK Athletes" called for athletes to join a zoom call to offer support to Lee.

Athletes on the call chanted "negative" for one minute as Lee awaits the all-clear to leave hospital.

Fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai, runner Wong Ching-yee and triathlete Tony Chui Kam-tong were among those to participate in the call.

Hong Kong has reported 1,041 reported coronavirus cases since the outbreak began.

A total of 920 have recovered in the country, while four deaths have been confirmed.