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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 23):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 777 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 271 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 9,105 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 95 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 80 cases are in stable condition, 11 in serious and four in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 86-year-old female patient of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). The patient developed flu symptoms and was admitted to Infectious Disease Centre via Accident & Emergency Department of PMH on August 22. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on the same day. The patient received Tamiflu and antibiotics. Her condition deteriorated on August 22 at around 9pm and she was sent to intensive care isolation ward. The patient is on ventilation support today (August 23). The patient has a history of chronic heart disease and the hospital will closely monitor her condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included six female staff members of public hospitals (including four nurses/student nurses and two supporting staff). So far there were 259 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 139 have already recovered and returned to work.
On the other hand, hospital records reveal that there is one more critical patient (74-year-old, male) who has been tested positive for Influenza A (H3) and is currently under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital.
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/Sunday, August 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:09
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