CHA News

Candida auris Cases Related to COVID-19 Surge in Health Care Facilities

For licensing & certification staff, patient safety & quality staff

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a Health Advisory alerting providers of the increasing number of Candida auris (C. auris) cases reported in Southern California in recent months.

CDPH notes that personal protective equipment conservation strategies and cohorting COVID-19 patients might be contributing to this resurgence of C. auris. As a result, CDPH recommends health care facilities: 

  • Assess C. auris and other multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) status for all patients and residents upon admission, by reviewing medical records and screening high-risk individuals.
  • When cohorting patients by COVID-19 status, consider C. auris and other MDRO status during room placement. 
  • Do not reuse or extend use of gloves or gowns between patients with different or unknown C. auris or other MDRO, and COVID-19 status. 

CDPH also advises health care facilities to report any cases of C. auris or unusual or highly-resistant organisms to their local health department and CDPH at HAIprogram@cdph.ca.gov