The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (March 24):
 
     Five female patients (aged 4 to 14) in a cubicle of the Developmental Disabilities Unit have been presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms since March 21. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Enterovirus/Rhinovirus. As a precautionary measure, the hospital has arranged viral tests for other patients in the same cubicle and two more asymptomatic patients (aged 12 and 13) tested positive. The seven patients are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.
 
     Enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned according to prevailing guidelines. Droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the environment and equipment have also been strengthened. The concerned cubicle has also suspended visiting arrangements. 
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

Ends/Friday, March 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:00

NNNN