The spokesperson for Prince Wales Hospital made the following announcement today (25 August):

Four male patients (aged 52 to 92) in a Medical Ward have been confirmed to be carriers of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) since 15 August 2017. Among the four patients, two of them have been discharged, while the other two had passed away due to their underlying diseases.

The Hospital Infection Control Team has followed up with the concerned departments and experts of the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:

1.      Enhance patient and environmental screening procedures 

2.      Apply stringent contact precautions and enhance hand hygiene of staff and patients

3.      Enhance cleaning and disinfection of the ward

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