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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding an earlier announcement that some patients of the male psychiatric wards of Tai Po Hospital (TPH) had presented with symptoms of skin abscess and whose test results had been confirmed positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes, a hospital spokesperson gave the following update today (December 24).
Test result of one more patient, 26, has been confirmed positive to Streptococcus Pyogenes in the concerned ward. The patient is now being treated under isolation and is in a stable condition. Admission and visiting to the ward concerned would continue to be suspended. Up to now, the test results of 17 patients (aged between 20 and 76) in the psychiatric unit have been confirmed positive to the bacteria. Infection control measures have been stepped up and all patients are under close surveillance.
The TPH Infection Control Team has reported the case to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection.
Ends/Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:10
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