The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital made the following announcement today (September 21):

     A 45-year-old female medical ward in-patient was confirmed to be carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on September 15. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced a contact tracing. Three more female patients (aged 77 to 84) were found to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. Three patients are being treated in isolation in the hospital and are in stable condition. An 84-year-old female patient had passed away earlier due to her underlying disease.

     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures according to established guidelines:
 

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 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 of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.

Ends/Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:20

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