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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 patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman provided the following updates today (22 July):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 610 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 127 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 2,091 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 35 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 28 cases are in stable condition, two in serious and five in critical condition.
The newly confirmed serious case announced today was a 59-year-old male patient of Kowloon Hospital. He suffers from chronic disease and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 18 July. He was transferred to the Respiratory Medical Department of Kowloon Hospital on 20 July and found to have mild symptom of fever. The patient was confirmed human swine influenza last night. He is staying in the isolated ward and under medication treatment of Tamiflu. The hospital will continue to closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included a female community nurse of Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital. She is under Tamiflu treatment and isolation at home, with stable condition.
Ends/Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:50
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