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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the services of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) and the confirmed human swine influenza (HSI) patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman provided the following updates today (July 17):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 578 patients.
The HA spokesman reminded the public that the eight DFCs have ceased the provision of general outpatient services. Patients with other illnesses are advised to seek medical treatment at other general outpatient clinics in the district or private practitioners. Chronic patients who have been pre-scheduled for follow up at the eight DFCs should proceed to their corresponding clinics with drug refill service according to their date of original appointment and bring along the appointment slip and Identity Card.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 88 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 1,640 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 19 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 13 cases are in stable condition, three in serious and three in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today was a 39-year-old female patient at Caritas Medical Centre. She developed flu symptoms on July 9 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of CMC on July 12 with diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection. The patient was treated and discharged. Her condition has not improved and she re-attended the Accident and Emergency Department of CMC on July 13 and was subsequently admitted. She was diagnosed of chest infection and the human swine influenza tests showed negative result on July 14. Her condition deteriorated, requiring intubation and ventilatory support early this morning. The patient was confirmed human swine influenza today after repeated tests. She is now hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit and under Tamiflu treatment. The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included a female nurse of Queen Mary Hospital. She is under Tamiflu treatment and isolation at home, with stable condition.
Ends/Friday, July 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:22
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