The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (April 8):

     A 78-year-old medicine and geriatrics (M&G) female in-patient was confirmed to be carrying Candida auris without signs of infection during routine surveillance screening on March 18. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, PMH commenced contact tracing and found three more patients (one male and two females, aged 58 to 88) carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. Two of the patients are now being treated under isolation with stable condition while the other patient has been discharged. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has been informed of the concerned case for follow-up action.

     Another patient, a 95-year-old female, was admitted to an M&G ward on March 26 due to chest infection. The result of routine surveillance screening on April 1 showed that she was a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient was discharged on the same day. She was readmitted to PMH due to chest infection on April 4 and passed away yesterday (April 7) due to her underlying illness.

     The hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the CHP. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
 

1. Thorough cleansing 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 as well as follow up on the cases with the departments concerned and the CHP.

Ends/Friday, April 8, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:55

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