Under the fifth wave of the epidemic, more than 90% of the elderly and disabled institutions in Hong Kong experienced outbreaks, and more than half of the deaths in Hong Kong resided in the institutions.
The Social Welfare Department held an online seminar this morning (4th) to explain infection control measures in institutions. Government expert advisor and chair professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, Yuen Guoyong, pointed out at the seminar that the sixth wave of the epidemic is bound to appear in the next 6 to 9 months. It is recommended that all residents and staff of the hospital be vaccinated. When the epidemic begins, rapid testing should be carried out every day. Once a resident is diagnosed, it should be isolated as soon as possible. If there are many cases in the hospital, the uninfected residents will be reversely isolated.
The sixth wave will be seen in the next six to nine months
Government expert advisor and chair professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, Yuen Kwok-yung, pointed out at this morning's seminar that since the fifth wave of the epidemic, it is estimated that there have been 1.5 to 4 million infected cases in Hong Kong. It refers to the fact that the outbreak in the hospital is closely related to the insufficient vaccination rate in the hospital.
He mentioned that the epidemic prevention measures will be relaxed in the future, the antibody levels of the recovered and vaccinated people will decline, and the new coronavirus may be mutated again.
Yuan Guoyong, a government expert adviser and chair professor of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, said that the sixth wave of the epidemic will appear in the next 6 to 9 months.
(File photo/Photo by Luo Junhao)
Residents and staff are fully vaccinated with three to four doses
Yuan Guoyong believes that in order to deal with the sixth wave, the residents and staff of the institution must be fully vaccinated, that is, three to four doses of the vaccine.
When the epidemic occurs, they have to take a daily rapid test; when a resident has symptoms, even if there is no confirmed test result, they need to be isolated in the hospital immediately.
Residential staff can measure blood oxygen saturation for confirmed patients every four to eight hours to detect early deterioration early.
Separate confirmed patients and uninfected residents as soon as possible
After a resident is diagnosed, the HA community geriatric assessment team or visiting doctor will make an assessment and arrange for those with mild symptoms to be sent to respite care centers, or those with more severe symptoms to be sent to the hospital.
He stated that the confirmed patients should be separated from the uninfected residents as soon as possible. If there are many cases in the hospital, reverse isolation can be adopted, and the uninfected residents can be sent to other places for isolation.
Yuan Guoyong believes that through these measures, severe cases and deaths can be reduced even if there are cases in the institutions.
▼2.21 Kwun Tong Choi Wing Road Gymnasium Temporary Care Center accepts those waiting for admission▼
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Open the ventilation fan in the home, do not open the air window
Long Zhenbang, honorary clinical associate professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, pointed out that when the ventilation of the hospital is insufficient, if someone in the hospital is infected, the virus-laden aerosol they generate may float far away; if there is a partition sealed to the ceiling to block the air Flowing, the virus has a greater chance to accumulate, increasing the risk of other residents being infected.
He continued that the air conditioner can only supply a small amount of fresh air. It is advisable to open the convection window and the fan to drive the airflow at the same time. The home can measure the indoor carbon dioxide concentration and evaluate the indoor ventilation.
Regarding the vertical transmission that has occurred many times under the epidemic, Long Zhenbang reminded the institutions to pay attention to the indoor wind direction from clean to dirty. When the exhaust fan is turned on in the toilet or kitchen, do not open the transom facing the patio, so as not to make the indoor negative. Pressure environment, but the outdoor or virus-carrying aerosol is drawn into the room.
▼Many elderly homes have confirmed cases▼
Urge home staff to pay attention to hand hygiene
Ventilation in residential homes is only one part of epidemic prevention. Ventilation alone does not mean that outbreaks can be prevented.
Cheng Zhichong, Honorary Professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, mentioned that hand hygiene is very important to prevent contact transmission in the home. Home staff should be in direct contact with residents, before nursing, after contact with blood or body fluids, and after contact with the hospital. Always clean your hands after touching your friend's surroundings or equipment.
As for masks, Zheng Zhicong pointed out that KN95 and KF94 masks are higher-spec masks than surgical masks. The frontal effect of blocking viruses is similar to that of N95 respirators, but there may be air leakage on the side.
As the shortage of manpower in the homes became serious due to the epidemic, he suggested that the staff should take care of the non-infected residents first, and then take care of the confirmed patients.
Residents can be vaccinated one month after recovery
At the meeting, many people in the industry asked whether residents could be vaccinated after recovery, and they wanted to clarify the definition of re-yang.
Yuan Guoyong responded that the residents can be vaccinated one month after recovery. If the residents have never been vaccinated, they can be treated as the first shot if they are infected with the new crown, and the subsequent vaccination is the second shot.
▼On April 3rd, the seal inspection of Shengxu Pavilion and Shengzhen Pavilion in Tiansheng Court, Tin Shui Wai ▼
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Recovered patients are advised not to undergo any further testing within 90 days
As for "Fuyang", that is, the test results are positive again, Yuan Guoyong pointed out that the antibodies of general recovered patients are at least useful for at least two or three months, and it is recommended that they do not do any further tests within 90 days.
He continued to point out that "recovery yang" involves three situations. One is that there is no infectious residual virus on the body of the recovered person. The second is that the antibody of the recovered person has decreased and they are re-infected with a new virus strain. The third is that some people have low immunity. of people who have been carrying the virus, or are still contagious.
But the third situation is very rare. If there are, they will stay in the hospital and will not return to the institution.
Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus common in residential care SWD launches 26-week sterilization plan
In addition to SARS-CoV-2, drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is also common in institutions.
The infection rate among residents has increased from 21% in 2012 to 48% in 2020. Residents with bacteria are more likely to have invasive bacterial infections, increasing the risk of bacterial infiltration and death.
Yuan Guoyong also mentioned that out of every eight cases of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in public hospitals, seven were from residential care homes.
The SWD currently has a 26-week antibacterial programme to provide residents with antiseptic solution and antiseptic ointment for bathing and nasal application respectively to reduce the viral load of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
▼On February 20, Cairong Road Gymnasium will be temporarily used to receive those who are waiting for admission▼
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