A CORK-BASED Chinese woman whose Irish partner moved back to Hong Kong after their break-up said she would be willing to take him and his new wife into her West Cork home to avoid the coronavirus outbreak.

Lynda Wong, who lives in Bantry, previously featured in The Echo after bringing her 13 dogs all the way from Hong Kong. 

The animal lover had settled in Ireland to be with her Cork boyfriend. 

However, when the relationship broke down he moved back to Hong Kong while Lynda remained in Cork to be with her dogs.

Since the outbreak of the virus, Lynda has been worried for friends and family back in China.

The 58-year-old added that she is willing to have her ex-partner and his new wife come stay with her should they wish to escape the coronavirus spread, if they pass the relevant health checks.

"Four years ago he went back to Hong Kong and remarried. I will always be a kind woman. I love the world."

Lynda said she remains friends with her ex-partner and speaks with him on the phone every month.

"Once he got married he adopted another 10 dogs which is a really good thing. 

"We talk on the phone every month so he can know what's going on with the dogs here. I believe that when one train door closes another opens."

Lynda said she also worries for her friends and family back home.

"I am worried, of course. I am worried about my friends who are my age and worked hard for their lives. Most of them are very successful but, because of the virus, there has been a downfall in the economy."

Nonetheless, Lynda refuses to be overwhelmed by the constant media coverage.

"All that I know about the coronavirus is what I learned from friends and YouTube. You can block out the channels and read and study what is going on around the world.

"I feel very happy in this country. There is beautiful nature and good air quality. It's the right spot for my dogs. It's where we want to be for good."

The outbreak most recently spread to a hotel in Tenerife which was cordoned off by police. 

Precautions were taken after a guest tested positive for the virus Local news reports stated that around 1,000 guests were booked at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace- a spot popular with both Irish and British tourists.

The Italian patient is currently being held in isolation at a hospital as they await the results of a second test to be carried out in Madrid by Spain’s National Center of Microbiology.