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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 12):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 624 patients.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 219 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 6,210 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, four in serious (one newly confirmed serious case is a 53-year-old male patient of Queen Elizabeth Hospital) and three in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 58-year-old male patient of Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The patient was admitted to the medical ward of QEH on July 22 due to pneumonia. The test result of human swine influenza taken during his hospitalization was negative. His condition was stable after treatment and was discharged on July 30. Subsequently, the patient was admitted to the isolation ward of QEH on August 4 due to cough and fever. His positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on August 5 and medication treatment of Tamiflu was given. As the patient condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Intensive Care Unit yesterday (August 11) for further treatment and ventilator support. The patient has a history of chronic disease and the hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included ten staff members of public hospitals (six male and four female, including two doctors, two nurses, one allied health professional, two clerical staff and three supporting staff). So far there were 134 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 104 have already recovered and returned to work.
On the other hand, hospital records reveal that there is one critical 90-year-old female patient who have been tested positive for Influenza A (H3) and is currently under proper treatment respectively in the intensive care unit of United Christian Hospital.
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/Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:45
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