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PYNEH announces a preliminary positive case of COVID-19
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) today (August 5) made the following announcement concerning a preliminary positive case of COVID-19 infection:

     A 69-year-old male patient with chronic disease was admitted to the surveillance ward of PYNEH in the afternoon of July 30 due to shortness of breath. He tested negative for COVID-19 on the day of admission, and was transferred to an Integrated Medical and Geriatric Ward on July 31 for further management. The patient's condition started to deteriorate yesterday (August 4). Nasopharyngeal swab specimen taken tested preliminary positive for COVID-19. The patient is now in critical condition.

     Inpatient record showed that before transferal to the Integrated Medical and Geriatric Ward, the 69-year-old patient had stayed in the same cubicle of the surveillance ward with another male patient for approximately eight hours. The other male patient was confirmed with COVID-19 infection on July 31 (case number: 3366) and had been transferred to an isolation ward on the same day. The connection between the two COVID-19 cases was under investigation.

     The hospital's infection control team immediately conducted contact tracing. Nine patients who had stayed in the same cubicle of the Integrated Medical and Geriatric Ward with the 69-year-old patient are classified as close contacts. The hospital will follow up closely with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the required quarantine arrangement.

     All healthcare workers who provided treatment and care to the patient were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with the infection control guidelines of the Hospital Authority. As a precautionary measure, the hospital will arrange viral tests and medical surveillance for staff members concerned.

     The hospital had arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection in the concerned geriatric ward. New admission to the ward has been suspended. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the health of other patients and maintain communication with the CHP about the latest situation.
 
Ends/Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:28
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