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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the announcement earlier on a cluster of patients confirmed with Human Coronavirus NL63 in a female long-stay ward, the spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) made the following update today (September 25):
Two more patients (aged 52 and 63) in the ward had presented with upper respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and the test results were positive for Human Coronavirus NL63. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition. This virus is a known Human Coronavirus which usually causes mild respiratory infection such as common cold.
Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting to the ward has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:33
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