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Regarding a number of patients and staff presenting with vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms in a male rehabilitation medical ward of Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) recently, the hospital spokesperson announced the following update today (February 5):
One more male patient (aged 77) and one more staff member have presented with diarrhoea symptoms in the same ward; since February 2, seven patients and two staff members presented with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in this ward. All are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the concerned patients and staff. The test result of one patient is positive for Norovirus. The staff members are now on sick leave.
Admission to and discharge from the ward have been suspended while visiting is not allowed. Patients¡¯ relatives have been informed of the situation. Infection control measures in the concerned ward have already been stepped up according to infection control guidelines. All other patients and health care workers in the ward are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.
Ends/Monday, February 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:59
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