Health authorities defend inspections after 14 residents contract gastroenteritis
The Health Department has rejected criticism it has turned a blind eye to an elderly home where residents use buckets while some toilets are closed for repairs.
Since last Wednesday, 14 elderly residents - with the oldest patient aged 94 - and four workers have contracted gastroenteritis at the Shui Oi Convalescent Home in Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong. Five victims needed hospital care.
The victims contracted the virus after the water supply was cut because of pipes that began leaking inside and outside the building two weeks ago. Toilets on one floor were closed for 10 days.
About 30 residents were told to keep their excrement in plastic buckets, which would later be emptied by staff in toilets on other floors. Staff used bottled water to cook and clean.
After visiting the home yesterday, health officers said they suspected the patients' symptoms were caused by a norovirus, which is usually spread through exposure to vomit or faecal matter. Samples are being tested to locate the source of the outbreak.