Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Yan Chai Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital made the following announcement today (April 19):

     A 68-year-old male medical in-patient who tested positive for COVID-19 was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on April 13. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Five more male COVID-19 patients (aged 73 to 91) staying in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. Among the patients, one COVID-19 patient passed away earlier and the other four patients are being treated under isolation in the hospital with stable condition.

     The concerned ward 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 cleansing of the concerned ward.

     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.