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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals (RHTSK) made the following announcement today (December 23):
A 68-year-old male patient in a pulmonary medical ward was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on December 13. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Eleven more patients (10 male, one female; aged 52 to 85) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Among these 12 patients, 10 are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition while the remaining two patients have been discharged.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the wards:
1. Disinfection and environmental cleaning 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 cases have 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 of the wards.
Ends/Monday, December 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:07
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