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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the recent confirmation of a cluster of patients as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers in a medical ward, the spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following update today (March 21):
Two more male patients (aged 52 and 84) have been confirmed as VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. The patients are now under medical surveillance and isolation. One of the patients is in stable condition, while the other patient is in critical condition due to his underlying illness.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned have been enhanced;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene;
3. All VRE carriers are under medical surveillance in isolation rooms; and
4. Restricted visiting to the ward concerned is imposed.
The hospital 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, March 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:34
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