The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tin Shui Wai Hospital (TSWH) made the following announcement today (January 18):
 
     A 70-year-old male patient in a Medical and Geriatrics ward of TSWH was confirmed to carry Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on January 12. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing for the index patient. Two more male patients (aged 79 and 61) were confirmed to be VRE carriers without any symptom of infection. The 79-year-old patient passed away because of his underlying disease.  The 61-year-old patient has been discharged and the 70-year-old patient is still hospitalised with stable condition.

     The concerned ward has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
     1.      Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
     2.      Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures;
     3.      Enhanced disinfection and cleansing of the concerned ward
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and 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, January 18, 2021
Issued at HKT 21:00

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