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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 (August 6):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 769 patients.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 225 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 4,974 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 57 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 52 cases are in stable condition (including a 51-year-old male patient of Tuen Mun Hospital who was reported earlier in critical condition and is now changed to stable), one in serious and four in critical condition.
The newly confirmed serious case announced today is a 30-year-old male patient of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH on August 4 due to fever and flu-like symptoms. The patient was admitted to isolation ward. His condition deteriorated on August 5 and was immediately transferred to Intensive Care Unit, requiring administration of oxygen. He is now under medication treatment of tamiflu and antibiotics. The patient has history of asthma and attended general out-patient clinic for follow-up. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included seven staff members of public hospitals (three male and four female, including one doctor, three allied health professionals and three supporting staff). So far there were 100 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 59 have already recovered and returned to work.
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.
Ends/Thursday, August 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:49
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