By intern reporter Xu Kai

A hospital in Xi’An City has fallen under scrutiny after eight babies died in its infant ward in just over one week. The cause appears to be contaminated facilities, according to a preliminary investigation conducted jointly by the central government’s Ministry of Health and the local department of health in Shanxi Province, where Xi’An is located.

The local health authority announced that eight infants died between September 5 to September 16 at the a hospital affiliated with Xi’An Communications University. Making matters worse, the hospital failed to report the deaths in a timely manner.

Current regulations require hospitals to file a report with the local authority within 12 hours in the event of five or more contamination cases, or if one or more instances of contamination lead to death. Such incidents should also be reported to the Ministry of Health within 24 hours following review by the provincial health department.

In response to investigation’s findings, the hospital has called for immediate closure of its infant ward so that it can sterilize the area. Facilities in the rest of the hospital will also be reviewed. The hospital called a press conference in the afternoon of September 24 to allay fears.