Update on Candida auris cases in Kowloon West Cluster
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Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Kowloon West Cluster made the following update today (August 18):
According to the contact tracing result of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), one more 80-year-old female patient was confirmed as a Candida auris carrier while not having signs of infection. The patient had stayed in the Medicine and Geriatric Ward of PMH and the Extended Care Ward of North Lantau Hospital (NLTH) and has been discharged.
Furthermore, NLTH arranged an admission screening for a 69-year-old male patient on August 4. His screening specimen was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient had stayed in the Medicine and Geriatric Ward of PMH, the Surgical Ward of PMH and the Extended Care Ward of NLTH and has been discharged.
PMH and NLTH have continued contact tracing for the patient. A 75-year-old male patient who had stayed in the Surgical Ward of PMH and a 91-year-old male patient who had stayed in the Extended Care Ward of NLTH were confirmed as Candida auris carriers while not having signs of infection. Both of them have been discharged.
In accordance with the prevailing guideline, the two hospitals have conducted the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
The two hospitals will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:35
Issued at HKT 20:35
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