The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (October 7):
A 68-year-old male patient in a medical and geriatrics ward of TMH was confirmed to be a carrier of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) yesterday (October 6). He is in critical condition due to underlying illness. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing for the index patient. Four more male patients (aged 40 to 81) were found to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. One patient has already been discharged and the remaining patients are all in stable condition.
The hospital has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward.
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