Update on cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Tuen Mun Hospital
***************************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in a medical ward, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital made the following update today (April 7):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing. Two more male patient (aged 53 and 69) were found to be VRE carriers without any symptoms of infection. One of the patients is still hospitalised with stable condition, while the other one has been discharged.
 
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
 
     The hospital will continue to adopt the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

Ends/Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:30

NNNN