Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital announces a nurse tested positive for COVID-19

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) made the following announcement today (December 13) regarding a nurse tested positive for COVID-19:

     A female nurse of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology attended the Ma On Shan Family Medicine Centre on December 11 due to fever. She was arranged to undergo deep throat saliva test and the test result available on December 12 was positive to COVID-19. She has been arranged for admission to the Community Treatment Facility.

     The last duty day of the nurse concerned was December 11. She has not had contact with COVID-19 confirmed patients at the hospital.

     Upon learning the test result, the Hospital Infection Control Team conducted contact tracing and eight staff members with whom the nurse had meals together were identified as close contacts and they will be quarantined. COVID-19 tests have also been arranged for them and the results were negative. The nurse concerned had been wearing appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with the infection control guidelines while working in the orthopedic ward. No patient was identified as a close contact. As a precautionary measure, the Hospital will arrange COVID-19 tests and medical surveillance for six orthopedic patients who had contact with the nurse concerned and for staff members working in the same ward. The test results for all the patients and those available for staff so far are all negative.

     The Hospital has completed thorough cleansing and disinfection of the concerned ward, staff pantry and changing room. The Hospital would continue to closely monitor the health condition of the staff members and patients and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest progress.