Charlottetown hospital's battle with superbug continues

While one antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection appears to be contained, a new infection emerged last week at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The Charlottetown hospital has been dealing with the two antibiotic resistant bacteria since May. The latest infection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) brings the total to 12. There have already been nine cases of  vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).

Despite the new infection, hospital officials are optimistic.

"We sort of feel we're probably turning a corner here, especially in relation to the VRE side of things. We haven't had a positive patient test for almost a month," said hospital executive director Rick Adams.

"With the MRSA, while several weeks ago we had a number of positive cases within one week, now we're down to, I think it's we're averaging about one per week. Is it still an issue? Yes. We would love to say we have no new cases. But anyway, we're remaining vigilant."

Adams said all 18 of the patients in Unit 3 are in isolation because a third of them have a superbug. Visiting restrictions are still in place in the rest of the hospital.

Officials are still trying to determine how many of the patients who have tested positive for a superbug actually acquired it at the hospital.