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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital made the following announcement today (January 22):
Seven patients (aged 21 to 40) and a staff member in a male ward for severe intellectual disability had presented with respiratory symptoms since January 19. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and the test results for five patients were positive for Rhinovirus. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation. Six of them are in stable condition, while the other one is in serious condition due to underlying disease. The staff member is currently on leave.
Admission to the ward concerned has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Friday, January 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:16
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