The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made an announcement today (October 1) regarding a nurse tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19:
A nurse of a general medical ward at QEH has onset of cough on September 28, and attended Accident and Emergency Department on September 30 due to fever. The hospital arranged a COVID-19 deep throat saliva test for him. The test result was preliminarily positive this morning (October 1). The patient is currently receiving isolation treatment at the hospital and is in stable condition.
The hospital reported the case to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) upon the preliminary test result of the nurse and conducted epidemiological tracing. The nurse concerned performed routine clinical duties in the ward and was equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment during his work. He did not have any contact with COVID-19 confirmed patients in the past two weeks. So far, no patient in the ward is classified as a close contact.
In addition, six staff members who had meals respectively with the nurse at different time are classified as close contacts. They are all asymptomatic and need to be quarantined. The hospital will follow up with the CHP for their condition.
According to the guideline, the hospital adopted admission screening for all in-patients. All existing patients in the ward were tested negative on admission. The preliminary investigation shows that there is no evidence suggesting the staff member acquired the disease in the hospital. The hospital has conducted tests for the patients and the staff members in the ward. So far, 29 staff members and 44 patients are tested negative.
As a precautionary measure, admission of patients to the ward concerned has been suspended. The hospital has arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection for the ward concerned. QEH will continue to closely monitor the health of our staff members and patients and communicate with the CHP about the latest situation.
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