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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Central Committee on Infectious Diseases & Emergency Responses of the Hospital Authority (HA) held a special meeting today afternoon (June 2) to discuss and review infection control measures of activation of Serious Response Level in public hospitals after confirmation of an Influenza A (H5N1) case. The HA also implemented an Enhanced Surveillance Programme for patient with influenza symptom.
The HA spokesman reiterates that hospital staff at Accident & Emergency Departments and general outpatient clinics were reminded to be vigilant to patients. Triage assessment and appropriate segregation at waiting areas would be arranged.
Under the Serious Response Level, more stringent infection control measures will be enforced in public hospitals, which include no visiting at isolation wards unless on compassionate ground. For all acute hospitals, visiting hours would be not more than 2 hours per day and not more than 2 visitors per visit, and not more than 4 hours per day for all convalescent hospitals. Volunteering service in hospitals would be suspended. Visitors to public hospitals and clinics are advised to put on surgical masks if they have respiratory infection symptoms and perform hand hygiene before and after visiting patient areas.
According to the spokesman, HA would continue to work closely with the Centre for Health Protection in monitoring the latest situation and keep the general public as well as healthcare workers updated of the development on a regular basis.
Ends/Saturday, June 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:04
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