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 Unit3 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.