The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Princess Margaret Hospital made the following announcement today (June 18) concerning the interruption of negative pressure system in the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC):
      
     At 5.57pm today, the alarm for the negative pressure system of isolation ward on 9/F in the IDC lighted up and staff immediately notified the staff of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). The negative pressure system of the concerned ward resumed operation at 6.07pm.　
      
     Preliminary inspection by the EMSD revealed that the suspension of negative pressure system of the isolation ward was due to malfunction of ventilation system in a washroom.
      
     There were four patients residing in the affected isolation rooms while none of them were related to COVID-19.
      
     During the incident, no personnel has entered or left the rooms nor has any high risk procedure been performed. All ward staff put on N95 respirators immediately after the alarm. According to the hospital's assessment, the risk of infection is very low.
      
     The hospital is very concerned about the incident and has urged the EMSD to perform thorough checking to the system to ensure its proper functioning. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

Ends/Thursday, June 18, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:20

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