Infectious disease cases in New Territories West Cluster
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for New Territories West Cluster made the following announcement today (January 18):
 
     Four patients (aged 68 to 88) in a female psychogeriatric ward in Castle Peak Hospital presented with respiratory symptoms since January 14. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Influenza B. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     In addition, Tuen Mun Hospital has an update on an earlier announcement on a cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers in a Medicine and Geriatrics ward. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has performed contact tracing and today confirmed one more 84-year-old female patient as being a VRE carrier but without clinical symptoms. She is still hospitalised under isolation and medical surveillance with stable condition. The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 

Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:37

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