**************************************************
Following the announcement yesterday (June 29) on a Rehabilitation and Extended Care ward in TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital in which eight male patients had presented with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms, the hospital gave the following updates today (June 30):
One more male patient (aged 76) in the ward has presented with diarrhoea symptoms. The patient is being treated under isolation and is in a stable condition. Appropriate tests are being carried out, and laboratory test results are pending. Since June 23, there have been a total of nine male patients with similar symptoms. Test results of four of the patients were positive to Norovirus. Two of the patients died of their underlying chronic diseases.
Infection control measures have already been enhanced. There is no new admission to and discharge from the ward for the time-being. A restricted visiting policy has been implemented. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.
Ends/Friday, June 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:05
NNNN