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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following update today (July 12) regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in a medical ward:
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. One more 81-year-old male patient was found to be a carrier of VRE today, but without clinical symptoms. The patient is still hospitalised and is now under medical surveillance and isolation with a stable condition.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1.Disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned have been enhanced; and
2.Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward.
Ends/Friday, July 12, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:29
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