The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to have Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in a male medical ward, the spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital made the following update today (December 21):
 
     According to the contact tracing result, two more patients (aged 75 and 84) in the ward concerned have been confirmed to carry CPE without signs of infection. One of the patients has been discharged while the other is being treated under isolation in stable condition.
 
     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the concerned departments and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
 
1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward.
 
     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/Monday, December 21, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:15

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