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The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following announcement update today (3 July 2006):
As at 5:00 p.m. today (July 3), there are a total of 5 public hospitals with new cases of patients and staff members suffering from diarrhea or vomiting symptoms at individual wards. The breakdowns are as follows:
- Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital - 4 patients (2 male, 2 female, aged 10-43) and 2 staff members. All in stable condition.
- Castle Peak Hospital - 4 male patients (aged 29-54) and 1 staff member. All in stable condition.
- Tai Po Hospital - 1 female patient (aged 84), in stable condition.
- North District Hospital - 5 male patients (aged 50-85). All in stable condition.
- Prince of Wales Hospital - 4 female patients (aged 71-85) and 1 staff member. All in stable condition.
All the patients are being treated under isolation, while the staff concerned are on sick leave. Laboratory tests are being carried out for the symptomatic patients and staff members. Some of the patients and staff are positive to Norovirus while others are pending test outcome.
Various infection control measures have already been stepped up in the concerned wards according to operational needs of individual hospitals, which include temporary suspension of admission to and discharge from the ward, restricted visiting with adequate precautionary measures, enhanced medical surveillance of other patients in the ward.
The cases have already been reported to HA Head Office and Centre for Health Protection for the necessary follow up actions.
Ends/Monday, July 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:46
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