Five patients who were in a ward of the Caritas Medical Centre Developmental Disabilities Unit first showed fever or respiratory infection symptoms on Tuesday (Mar 21) and their test results for enterovirus or rhinovirus returned positive.

As a precautionary measure, the hospital arranged viral tests for other patients in the same ward and two more asymptomatic patients, aged 12 and 13, also tested positive.

The seven patients are currently being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.

Enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the affected ward, and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection of the environment and equipment have all been strengthened.

The affected ward has also had visiting suspended.

The hospital said it will continue to closely monitor the situation in the affected ward, and noted that the cases have also been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.