The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to have Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following update today (March 16):
 
     In accordance with prevailing guidelines, the hospital has commenced contact tracing and identified six more patients (five males and one female, aged 61 to 86) to be CPE carriers without clinical symptoms. Two of the patients have been discharged while the remaining four patients are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.
 
     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the departments concerned and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:
 

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward.

 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Ends/Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:10

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