The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) in medical wards, the spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) gave the following update today (April 16):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and confirmed four more patients (one male and three females, aged 74 to 101) of the medical wards as carriers of MDRA. Three patients are still hospitalised in PYNEH. They are currently under medical surveillance and isolation treatment with stable condition. The other patient had been discharged.
 
     Following the activation of the Emergency Response Level in public hospitals, the visiting arrangement for the wards has been suspended. The following infection control measures have been stepped up according to the established guidelines:
 
1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the wards concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 

Ends/Friday, April 16, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:15

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