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Regarding a medical ward in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in which there were patients and staff presented with vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms earlier, the hospital announced the following update today (June 22):
One more female patient (aged 76) in the same medical ward has presented with diarrhoea symptom. The patient is being treated under isolation. Since June 16, there are totally six patients and two staff members presented with the symptoms. All of them are in stable condition. The two staff members are currently on sick leave. Laboratory test results are pending.
Apart from this, a total of eight infants (5 male, 3 female, aged 3 months to 2 years) in a paediatric ward had presented with diarrhoea symptom since June 14. Seven infants are being treated under isolation and their conditions are stable, while the other one had recovered and been discharged. Test results of four infants were positive for Norovirus. The remaining test results are pending.
Admission to the two wards concerned has been suspended while visiting arrangement remains normal. Infection control measures have been stepped up in the concerned wards. All patients are under close surveillance.
QEH Infection Control Team has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection.
Ends/Thursday, June 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:22
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