The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a medicine and geriatrics ward staff member of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) who tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19, the spokesperson made the following update today (February 7):

     In view of a healthcare assistant of a medicine and geriatrics ward of PMH who tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 earlier, regular nucleic acid tests were arranged for staff members who were classified as other contacts. Two nurses who work in the same medicine and geriatrics ward tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday (February 6).

     Among them, a 31-year-old female nurse had an onset of a sore throat and cough on February 5 and tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday. She was responsible for patient care duties. She conducted a nasopharyngeal swab test for COVID-19 for patients yesterday with appropriate personal protective equipment.  

     Another 29-year-old female nurse who was also responsible for patient care had an onset of a mild dry throat and tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday. She does not perform any high-risk clinical procedures and is equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment at work.

     The two nurses concerned worked on the same ward with the healthcare assistant, who was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on February 3. Upon the assessment of the hospital's infection control team, it cannot be ruled out that there is a linkage among the three cases.

     The hospital's infection control team has conducted contact tracing. No staff members or patients are classified as close contacts at the moment. Twenty-four inpatients in the ward concerned tested negative for COVID-19. Admission to the ward concerned has been suspended earlier. A thorough cleaning and disinfection has been arranged.

     PMH will continue to communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.

Ends/Monday, February 7, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:05

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