The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the earlier announcements on Candida auris carrier cases in Kowloon West Cluster (KWC), the spokesperson for KWC gave the following update today (July 13):
According to the contact tracing of Yan Chai Hospital, 22 patients (16 male and six female, aged 30 to 95) who had stayed in other medical wards were confirmed as carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. Among these patients, one 93-year-old patient passed away yesterday (July 12) due to underlying illnesses while the other patients are now being treated under isolation with stable condition.
Furthermore, according to the contact tracing of North Lantau Hospital (NLTH), two more patients (one male and one female, aged 87 and 99) were confirmed as carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. The patients had stayed in the Extended Care Ward of NLTH and have been discharged.
In accordance with established guidelines, the following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in two hospitals:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
- Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced 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 Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
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