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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the recent confirmation of a number of in-patients of a medical ward as carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), the spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) gave the following update today (May 3):
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, screening of contacts has been performed. Five more in-patients (four male and one female, aged 39 to 84) of a medical ward were confirmed as VRE carriers, without clinical symptoms. One of them passed away due to underlying illness and another has been discharged. Among the remaining patients, two of them are still hospitalised in PYNEH while the other one has been transferred to Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. The three patients are under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.
The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Friday, May 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:02
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