**********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (November 26):
Since November 21, a total of six male patients (aged 69 to 99) and two staff members of an infirmary ward in the Kowloon Hospital Rehabilitation Building have presented with vomiting and diarrhoea. Appropriate tests were carried out on the six patients and all were found positive for Norovirus. Five of the patients are being treated under isolation and in stable condition, while the remaining one (aged 99) passed away on November 24 due to his underlying illness. The conditions of the concerned staff members are stable after medical treatment and they are on sick leave.
Infection control measures have already been enhanced. There will be no admission to and discharge from the ward for the time being. Visiting to the isolation cubicle in the ward is also suspended. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close medical surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
Ends/Thursday, November 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:00
NNNN