169. The Resurgence of Candida auris in California during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, May 2020–May 2021
Authors: Mitsunaga Tisha , Holden Diana , Karmarkar Ellora , Kennedy Idamae , Nelson Teresa , Haridass Vikram , Dratch Alissa , O’Donnell Kathleen , Bhaurla Sandeep , OYong Kelsey , Clarke Anthony , Takiguchi Eric , Baldwin Leslie , Nguyen Jennifer , Bhurtyal Kiran , Gomez Alma , Clark Kelli A , Batres Jessica R , Romo Scarlett , Kang Grace , Rauhauser Mara , Schneider Emily C , Chinn Raymond Y , Cole Barbara , Sequeira Michael , Gustafson Erin , Holman Emily , Rubin Zachary , Zahn Matthew , Epson Erin 
Published: December 2021

Background

In February 2019, California (CA) experienced its first C. auris outbreak in Orange County (OC). The CA Department of Public Health (CDPH) and OC with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mounted a successful containment response; by November 2019, cases were limited to low-level spread in OC long-term acute care hospitals (LTACH).

In May 2020, C. auris cases began to surge in OC, followed by extensive spread in six other southern CA local health jurisdictions (LHJ). CDPH with LHJ and CDC, initiated an aggressive, interjurisdictional containment response.

Methods

We carried out response and preventive point prevalence surveys (PPS), onsite infection prevention and control (IPC) assessments, and in-service trainings at outbreak and interconnected hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in six LHJ. Other regional activities included: epidemiologic investigation, contact and discharge tracking and screening; increasing laboratory testing capacity; screening patients admitted to and from LTACH; statewide healthcare facility (HCF) education and outreach; sending regional outbreak HCF lists to all HCF; and biweekly state-LHJ coordination calls. The Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Lab Network supported testing.

Results

From May 2020—May 2021, we conducted screening at 226 HCF, and identified 1192 cases at 93 HCF, mostly through screening (n=1109, 93%) and at LTACH (n=906, 76%); we identified 113 (10%) cases at ACH, including 35 (31%) in COVID-19-burdened units. Cases peaked in August 2020 (n=93) and February 2021 (n=191) and have since declined, with C. auris resurgence mirroring COVID-19 incidence.

We conducted 98 onsite IPC assessments, and identified multiple, improper IPC practices which had been implemented in response to COVID-19, including double-gloving and -gowning, extended use of gowns and gloves outside patient rooms, and cohorting according to COVID-19 status only.

Figure 1. C. auris and COVID-19 Cases in California through May 2021, and C. auris Cases by Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) May 2020–May 2021

Table 1. By Facility Type: Colonization Testing May 2020–May 2021, and Total Case Counts before and from May 2020

Table 2. COVID-19-related Infection Control Practices Affecting C. auris Spread, and Associated Public Health Recommendations

Conclusion

The C. auris resurgence in CA was likely a result of COVID-19-related practices and conditions. An aggressive, coordinated, interjurisdictional C. auris containment response, including proactive prevention activities at HCF interconnected with outbreak HCF, can help mitigate spread of C. auris and potentially other novel AR pathogens.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures