Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in North Lantau Hospital
**************************************************************************
The spokesperson for North Lantau Hospital (NLTH) made the following announcement today (April 22):
An 86-year-old COVID-19 male patient, who had stayed in an emergency medicine ward of NLTH, was confirmed to be a carrier of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on April 10. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has commenced contact tracing and identified two more COVID-19 patients (aged 70 and 89) to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. All three patients are being treated under isolation, while one patient in critical condition was transferred to NLTH Hong Kong Infection Control Centre for further treatment, and two patients in stable condition are still hospitalised in NLTH.
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:
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
- Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Friday, April 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:00
Issued at HKT 19:00
NNNN