Hospital in Charlottetown failing to hold back superbug

Charlottetown's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been unable to contain the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with another patient infected with the bacteria.

The hospital has told all 16 patients in Unit 3 they must remain in their rooms, even though only four have tested positive for the bacteria.

The superbug began infecting the hospital in May starting with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The hospital believed in mid-June it was getting the infections under control.

Hospital officials said they're doing everything they can to prevent the antibiotic-resistant bacteria from spreading. Measures include stepping up handwashing protocols and restricting visitors to one at a time, immediate family and no children under 12.

The hospital is considering hiring additional staff to monitor safety measures.