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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) made the following announcement today (February 28):
Three male patients (aged 75 to 88) staying in Medical & Geriatric Department in CMC have been confirmed as carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) from February 25 onward. They are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has stepped up infection control measures in the concerned wards. Follow-up screening tests for a total of 21 patients with contact history and who are under medical surveillance have been arranged, the results are pending. There exist clinical guidelines in public hospitals to ensure proper use of antibiotics including Vancomycin and management of VRE carriers.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for further follow up.
Ends/Monday, February 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:48
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