Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital announces nurse tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19
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The spokesman for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital made an announcement today (December 29) on a nursing staff member preliminarily testing positive for COVID-19:
A nursing staff member of a male rehabilitation ward preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 last night (December 28). A patient in the same ward tested positive for COVID-19 earlier (on December 23) and the nurse concerned had assisted that patient to collect a deep throat saliva specimen. She wore a surgical mask and gloves at the time. In view of the short duration, she was classified as "other contact" and was put under medical surveillance. She was arranged to undergo a COVID-19 test on December 24 and the test result was negative. She was arranged to undergo a COVID-19 test again on December 28 and presented with fever on the same day. Her test result was positive. She is currently receiving treatment under isolation in Queen Elizabeth Hospital with stable condition.
The hospital's infection control team has conducted contact tracing and noticed that the nurse concerned was equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment during duty and did not perform any high-risk medical procedures. No patient was hence identified as a close contact. Five healthcare workers who had a meal with the nurse were identified as close contacts and will be arranged to undergo quarantine. They underwent COVID-19 tests on December 24 and 28 and the test results were negative.
In addition, five healthcare workers from other hospitals had attended a gathering with the nurse. As a result, they were identified as close contacts and will be arranged to undergo quarantine.
The hospital has arranged thorough cleaning and disinfection in the ward concerned and has again reminded staff to avoid gathering and having meals together. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the health conditions of staff members and patients and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.
Ends/Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:57
Issued at HKT 19:57
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