Update on cluster of Candida auris and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
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The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) gave the following update today (July 16) regarding patients confirmed to be Candida auris and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers:
Having conducted contact tracing, one more patient, a 63-year-old female, was identified as a Candida auris carrier without symptoms of infection. The patient was discharged earlier.
In addition, regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of VRE, PMH has conducted contact tracing and identified one more patient, a 47-year-old male, as a VRE carrier without clinical symptoms. The patient is being treated under isolation in critical condition due to his underlying illness.
In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
The hospital 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/Friday, July 16, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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