The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (September 22) regarding a COVID-19 case that has tested preliminarily positive:
A 4-year-old boy was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department and transferred to a paedatric isolation ward of TMH yesterday (September 21) due to respiratory infection symptoms. He was arranged to take a viral test for COVID-19 and the result was preliminary positive. He is in the paediatric isolation ward with stable condition.
The boy has chronic disease and requires regular treatment. The most recent treatment was during the morning of September 18. He had stayed in the paediatric ward of TMH for around two hours. He did not have any respiratory symptoms and wore a mask for most of the time.
Upon learning of the boy's test result, the Infection Control Unit conducted an investigation and traced the healthcare workers who had been in contact with him as well as other children who stayed in the same ward. Contact tracing identified 10 children as close contacts, who required quarantine measures for 14 days. Another six children will be put under 28-day surveillance. An operational assistant responsible for cleaning the patient toilet has to be quarantined for 14 days since she had not worn a face shield.
TMH had arranged a thorough cleaning and disinfection in the ward concerned. Staff members are reminded of the importance of full compliance with the guidelines on appropriate personal protective equipment. The hospital has reported the incident to the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up action.
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