Princess Margaret Hospital staff member tests preliminarily positive for COVID-19
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on three patient care assistants (PCA) in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department who tested positive for COVID-19, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following update today (January 12):
 
     The hospital's infection control team has been constantly monitoring the health of staff members in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department and arranged COVID-19 tests for them. The viral test yesterday (January 11) found that one more occupational therapist was tested preliminarily positive. She has onset of mild sore throat on the same day.
 
     On January 8, the occupational therapist concerned worked in the workplace where a confirmed COVID-19 PCA had stayed in. She was tested negative for COVID-19 in the test arranged by the hospital on the same day.

     Upon knowing the preliminary positive results of the occupational therapist, the hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing immediately. The occupational therapist concerned does not perform any high-risk clinical procedures and is equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment at work. No patient was hence identified as close contacts nor other contacts.
 
     In view of the sequential occurrence of confirmed cases in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department, the hospital's infection control team has expanded the scope of contact tracing. Staff who had meal or had stayed more than two hours cumulatively in the workplace concerned in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department would be classified as close contacts. Therefore, five more staff members are classified as close contacts and are required to quarantine for 14 days. The hospital will arrange viral tests for all staff members of the Occupational Therapy Department.
 
     The workplace concerned has been closed for thorough cleaning and disinfection. PMH will continue to closely monitor the health of our staff, as well as communicating with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.

Ends/Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Issued at HKT 20:45

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