Queen Mary Hospital announces a clerical staff tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) made an announcement today (August 1) on a clerical staff tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
      
     A female clerical staff of shroff counter at QMH sought medical treatment at QMH Staff Clinic yesterday (July 31) due to sore throat, cough and running rose. Her deep throat saliva test result released this afternoon was preliminarily positive to COVID-19 while confirmatory test is still pending. The staff had been working mainly at shroff counter on 1/F of Block S and she worked today. She had been wearing surgical mask during her duty.
      
     Infection Control Team (ICT) of QMH is working closely with the Centre for Health Protection(CHP) for contact tracing upon the preliminary test result. So far, a total of four shroff counter staff members have been listed as close contacts and they would be required to be quarantined. The hospital will continue to investigate and contact staff of the concerned department to understand their situations. Based on the on-site assessment by ICT, there are partitions between staff members and the public for each shroff counter. The contact between staff members and the public is brief.
      
     QMH will suspend the service of the shroff concerned on 1/F of Block S for 14 days from tomorrow at 9am until August 16. During the suspension period, patients can settle their payment at Admission Office or Accident and Emergency Department. The service of these payment locations will be enhanced accordingly. QMH also encourages patients to use payment kiosks with Octopus card.
      
     In view of the escalating situation of COVID-19, the hospital has enhanced the infection control measures for all clinical and non-clinical departments. Trainings have been stepped up and provided to related departments. Staff are reminded to wear surgical masks and avoid having meals with other colleagues.
      
     QMH will conduct thorough cleansing and disinfection at the shroff concerned tomorrow. The hospital will continue to provide assistance to staff members of the department and will closely monitor health condition of concerned staff member while maintaining close liaison with the CHP.

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