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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 29):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 708 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 398 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 11,247 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 104 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 87 cases are in stable condition, six in serious and 11 in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 83-year-old man in Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH). The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of PWH for coughing on August 25 and was then admitted for further management. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on August 26 and the patient was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. His condition deteriorated on August 28 and is on ventilation support in Intensive Care Unit. He has a history of chronic disease. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 16 staff members of public hospitals (five male and 11 female, including three doctors, five nurses, three clerical staff, two allied health professional and three supporting staff). So far there were 346 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 219 have already recovered and returned to work.
Hospital records reveal that a 70-year-old male patient with chronic disease who was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on August 18 was confirmed to be positive result of Influenza A (H3) on August 20. He was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital on August 25 and died on August 27.
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 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:48
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