The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital made the following announcement today (March 4):

     Five patients (aged 43 to 53) and three staff members in a male ward for severe intellectual disability have presented with respiratory symptoms since February 28. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and the test results of four patients were positive to Coronavirus OC43. The concerned patients are being treated under isolation with stable condition. Two staff members have recovered and resumed duty while the other one is currently on leave. Coronavirus OC43 is a known human coronavirus, which usually causes mild respiratory infection such as common cold.

     Admission to the ward 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/Saturday, March 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:44

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