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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 22):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 912 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 299 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 8,834 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 72 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 58 cases are in stable condition, four in serious and ten in critical condition.
The two newly confirmed critical cases announced today are patients in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). The first patient is a 16-year-old female who developed fever and flu symptoms on August 18 and was admitted to the isolation ward via the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH on August 21. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on August 21. She was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The patient's condition deteriorated on the same day and she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. She is on ventilation support. The patient has a history of chronic disease. The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
The second patient is a 23-year-old pregnant patient who developed fever and flu symptoms on August 18 and was admitted to the isolation ward via the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH on August 20. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on August 21. The patient's condition deteriorated, emergency Caesarean section was performed on August 21. After the section, she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on August 22 and on ventilation support. She was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The baby is in stable condition. The hospital will closely monitor the mother and the baby's condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 12 female staff members of public hospitals (including two doctors, six nurses/student nurses, two clerical staff and two supporting staff). So far there were 253 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 139 have already recovered and returned to work.
The HA spokesman reminded the public that HA has progressively resumed service for chronic patients with scheduled appointment at the eight designated flu clinics (DFC). Chronic patients who have been pre-scheduled for follow up at the DFCs should go to the clinics according to their date of original appointment, bringing along the appointment slip and Identity Card. Other general outpatient services such as episodic disease, injection and wound care will not be resumed at these DFCs for the time being. Patients with other illnesses are advised to seek medical treatment at other general outpatient clinics in the district or private practitioners.
Ends/Saturday, August 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:14
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