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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of United Christian Hospital made the following announcement today (October 21):
A 71-year-old male patient of a geriatric ward was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on October 16. The patient is under treatment and isolation, and is in stable condition. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Four more male patients (aged 74 to 88) who had stayed in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. One of the patients is still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition. The remaining three patients have been discharged.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned have been enhanced; and
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Monday, October 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:07
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