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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 8):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5.00pm) provide treatment to a total of 650 patients.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 199 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 5407 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 64 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 57 cases are in stable condition, three in serious (including a 66-year-old female patient of United Christian Hospital, who reported earlier in critical condition and a 45-year-old female patient of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH), who reported earlier in critical condition) and four in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 51-year-old female patient of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of PYNEH on August 8 due to shortness of breath and was admitted to medical ward. As the patient condition deteriorated, she was transferred to Intensive Care Unit for further treatment and administration of oxygen was given. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed today (August 8). She is now under medication treatment of Tamiflu. The patient has a history of multiple chronic diseases. The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included eight staff members of public hospitals (one male and seven female, including three nurses, one allied health professional, one clerical staff and three supporting staff). So far there were 114 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 68 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/Saturday, August 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:06
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