The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) gave the following update today (July 17):
According to the contact tracing, five more patients (aged 43 to 85) who had stayed in other medical wards were confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. Two of them are old age home residents and had been discharged. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and the Community Nursing Services were informed of the concerned cases for necessary follow-up. Another three patients are now being treated under isolation in stable condition. In accordance with prevailing guidelines, YCH has commenced contact tracing for patients who might have had close contact with the index patients. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhance patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Apply stringent contact precautions and enhance hand hygiene of staff and patients.
The hospitals will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the CHP for necessary follow-up.
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