The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) today (August 18) made the following announcement concerning a preliminary positive case of COVID-19 infection:

     A 64-year-old male patient was admitted through the Accident and Emergency Department to the general surgical ward of YCH on August 15 due to low grade fever and upper abdominal pain. The findings of patient's chest x-ray and blood test were normal.

     As the patient had persistent fever, he was transferred to the airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) to test for COVID-19 on August 17. The test result was positive. The patient was then transferred to the isolation ward for treatment and is now in stable condition.

     The hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing according to prevailing guidelines. Six patients who had stayed in the same cubicle of the surgical ward concerned with the preliminarily confirmed patient were classified as close contacts. Among these patients, four inpatients have been isolated. The hospital has informed the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for follow up of the remaining two discharged patients.

     All staff members were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment. None of the staff members is classified as a close contact. As a precautionary measure, seven healthcare workers were classified as other contacts and subject to 28 days of medical surveillance.

     The hospital has arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection of the surgical ward concerned. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the health of staff and patients, and communicate with the CHP about the latest situation.

Ends/Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:55

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