The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (December 28):
      
     A 65-year-old male patient was admitted to the Orthopaedics and Traumatology (O&T) ward and the Medical and Geriatric (M&G) ward of PMH. His clinical specimen was confirmed to carry Candida auris on December 19, without signs of infections. In accordance with prevailing guideline, PMH has commenced contact tracing for the patients who have close contact with the index patient. One more 70-year-old male orthopaedic patient was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The patients are now treated under isolation; one is clinically stable while the other is in serious condition due to his underlying illness. 

     The Hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). 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
     3. Apply stringent contact precautions and enhance hand hygiene of staff and patients
      
     The Hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients as well as follow up the cases with concerned departments and the CHP.

Ends/Saturday, December 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:15

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