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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 25):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 1,008 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 406 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 9,756 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 109 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 94 cases are in stable condition, six in serious and nine in critical condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 17 staff members of public hospitals (five male and 12 female, including four doctors, seven nurses, two allied health professional and four supporting staff). So far there were 288 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 180 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/Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:38
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