The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier cases issued by North Lantau Hospital (NLTH), the spokesperson for the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (NLTH HKICC) gave the following update today (May 5):
 
     An 86-year-old male COVID-19 patient, who had stayed in an emergency medicine ward of NLTH, was confirmed as being a carrier of VRE on April 10. He was transferred to the NLTH HKICC for further treatment. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the NLTH HKICC commenced contact tracing. Two more male COVID-19 patients hospitalised in the NLTH HKICC, both aged 88, have been identified as VRE carriers without signs of infection. The two patients are being treated under isolation in the NLTH HKICC with stable condition, while the 86-year-old patient passed away earlier.
 
     The NLTH HKICC infection control team has followed up with the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
 
1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.

     The NLTH HKICC 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/Thursday, May 5, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:00

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