The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
     
     The spokesperson for Kowloon West Cluster made the following announcement today (November 15):
 
     A 51-year-old male patient, who had stayed in the Extended Care Ward of North Lantau Hospital (NLTH), was confirmed to be a carrier of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on November 5. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and identified three more patients (aged 77 to 97) as being VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. One patient has been discharged earlier, while two patients are still hospitalised in NLTH and one patient has been transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital and they are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the departments concerned and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
 
1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.
 
     Moreover, three patients (aged 52 to 55) in a male psychiatric ward in Kwai Chung Hospital have presented with skin infection since November 1. Appropriate tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A). The patients concerned are currently under treatment with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     All cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 

Ends/Monday, November 15, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:20

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