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The spokesperson of Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (September 28):
Four female patients (aged 32 to 59) and one female staff member of a ward in the Kowloon Psychiatric Observation Unit had presented with vomiting and diarrhoea since September 20. All the patients are being treated in isolation and in stable condition. Test results of three patients tested positive to Norovirus. The staff member is on sick leave.
Kowloon Hospital has stepped up the infection control measures of the Psychiatric Ward as well as relieving the demand pressure on admission through the following actions:
- There will be no admission to the concerned ward for the time-being while discharge arrangements remains normal.
- Visiting to the isolated cubicle in the concerned ward is suspended.
- Under the coordination of the Hospital Authority Head Office, some of the mental patients who were originally planned to be admitted to Kowloon Hospital will be sent to Kwai Chung Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment.
- Infection control measures have already been enhanced. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.
Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:04
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