Hospital Authority announces clusters of nosocomial COVID-19 infections
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The spokesman for the Hospital Authority made the following announcement today (February 15) on clusters of nosocomial infections of COVID-19:
Following one patient care assistant (PCA) and one patient in the psychogeriatric ward of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 earlier, the hospital has conducted contact tracing. One health care assistant who works in the same ward tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 today. In addition, following one phlebotomist in the Nursing Services Department of the hospital tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday (February 14), the hospital has conducted contact tracing. One more phlebotomist tested preliminarily positive today. Three PCAs in the same department were identified as close contacts and will be arranged for quarantine.
Following two nurses, a student nurse and a PCA working in a medical ward in Ruttonjee Hospital tested positive for COVID-19 earlier, the hospital has conducted contact tracing. A 74-year-old male patient in the same ward tested positive for COVID-19 today. The patient is being treated under isolation in stable condition. One patient stayed with the patient concerned in the same room is identified as a close contact. As the patient was discharged, the case has been referred to the Centre for Health Protection to follow up.
Regarding the cluster of cases in a medical ward announced by Caritas Medical Centre earlier, one nurse student and one PCA tested preliminary positive and are in stable condition.
Three staff (one phlebotomist, one operational assistant and one executive assistant) working in North Lantau Community Health Centre confirmed positive for COVID-19 yesterday. All the concerned staff are in stable condition. The hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing, so far no hospital staff and patients were identified as close contact. Thorough cleaning and disinfection were arranged.
Regarding Pok Oi Hospital's (POH) announcement on a 101-year-old male patient in a medical ward tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, a 75-year-old male patient stayed in the same cubicle and a nurse from the same ward also confirmed preliminarily positive. The hospital is investigating the linkage among the cases tested positive for COVID-19 earlier. Besides, a patient care assistant working in the isolation ward of POH was identified as a close contact as she did not put on face shield while providing care for a preliminary positive case. The hospital reminded staff members to wear appropriate personal protective equipment at work.
A male advanced practice nurse working in electrographic diagnostic unit of Kwai Chung Hospital tested preliminarily positive yesterday. A patient was identified as a close contact as the patient did not wear mask while receiving care. The patient is isolated for quarantine.
The hospitals will continue to closely monitor the health condition of patients and staff members and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.
Ends/Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:45
Issued at HKT 22:45
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