New Territories West Cluster updates on case of staff members of Tuen Mun Eye Centre tested positive to COVID-19
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Subsequent to the announcement earlier today (July 18) that staff members at the Tuen Mun Eye Centre (TMEC) have been tested positive to COVID-19, the spokesman of the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) gave the following update:
Since three clerical staff of TMEC were tested positive to COVID-19, NTWC arranged 33 staff members of TMEC who had been in close contact with the staff concerned to undergo COVID-19 test. 31 of them were tested negative while two are waiting for the test results. The group of staff being classified as close contacts will be quarantined. NTWC will continue to perform closely monitoring on the health condition of TMEC staff members. COVID-19 test will be provided to all staff members and outsourced service staff at the TMEC.
None of the TMEC patients have been classified as close contact nor other contact. However, as a precautionary measure, NTWC will arrange a total of around 100 staff members and patients of the Renal Dialysis Centre in the same building of TMEC to undergo COVID-19 test.
Since most of the TMEC clerical staff will be quarantined, TMEC will be temporarily closed on the coming Monday (July 20). Patients with appointment on elective surgery or out-patient service will be rescheduled and do not need to return to TMEC. Ophthalmic patient is advised to attend Accident and Emergency Department in Tuen Mun Hospital or nearby hospitals if there are urgent needs.
TMEC had conducted thorough cleansing and disinfection last night. A team of experts including Professor Yuen Kwok-yung from the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong paid a visit to TMEC today. They were contented with the environment and hygiene of TMEC. As the staff confirmed with infection have been handling patient medical records, as part of their duties, it cleansing and disinfection of these records are suggested, apart from setting them aside for 10 days. Under these circumstances, the surgery and out-patient services before July 28 may be affected. TMEC will implement appropriate arrangement in accordance with patients’ conditions. For enquiries, patients can call 2478 5122 from 1pm to 5pm tomorrow (July 19) or 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday next week.
Ends/Saturday, July 18, 2020
Issued at HKT 22:40
Issued at HKT 22:40
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