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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding an earlier announcement by Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) about four patients of a male long stay ward who presented with respiratory symptoms, New Territories West Cluster announced the following updates today (May 27):
CPH sent 14 cohort patients from the same ward to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) today for treatment and investigation. Three patients were being sent to TMH for isolation treatment after clinical assessment.
All seven patients transferred to TMH for isolation treatment have been receiving and responding to antibiotic treatment. Their fever has subsided and they are now in stable condition. A series of microbiology tests were being done and positive result of Pneumococcus antigen was found in the urine samples of three patients. Further investigation results are still pending.
A 57-year-old patient who was cohorting at the same ward was found to have cardiac arrest and was sent to the TMH Accident and Emergency Department last night. He was certified dead after attempts at resuscitation. The case has been referred to the coroner for further investigation.
Infection control measures in the ward concerned at CPH have been stepped up. Patients were being cohorted for treatment. Full personal protection equipment is required for all staff entering the ward. Admission and visits to the ward have been suspended. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance, contact tracing is under way. Staff deployment was being arranged to ensure smooth running of the ward while adhering to infection control principles.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.
Ends/Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:15
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