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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals made the following announcement today (July 3):
A 90-year-old male patient in a surgical ward was confirmed as a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on June 19. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Four male patients (aged 79 to 86) were confirmed to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. Four patients have been discharged. One patient is still hospitalised under isolation and is in a stable condition.
The wards concerned have adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleansing.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital Infection Control Team will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Ends/Friday, July 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:17
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