The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     The spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital (POH) made the following announcement today (September 27):

     An 89-year-old female patient in a medical and geriatric ward of POH was confirmed to carry Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on September 21.

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted a contact tracing investigation. Two more female patients (aged 84 and 90) were found to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. The 89-year-old patient passed away today due to her underlying disease. The other two patients are being treated in isolation, and are in stable condition.

     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 

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 wards concerned.
    

      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/Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:25

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