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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 30):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 600 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 331 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 11,578 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 97 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 80 cases are in stable condition, six in serious and 11 in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 18-year-old woman in Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH). The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of PWH for flu symptom on August 27 and was then admitted to isolation ward for further management. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on August 28. The patient was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. She has a history of chronic disease. The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included eight female staff members of public hospitals (including one doctor, three nurses, one clerical staff and three supporting staff). So far there were 354 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 219 have already recovered and returned to work.
At the same time, an 89-year-old female patient with chronic disease who was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on August 22 and confirmed to be Influenza A (H3) on August 27 died today (August 30).
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 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:13
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