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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 31):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5 pm) provide treatment to a total of 1,073 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 229 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 11,807 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 110 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 93 cases are in stable condition, six in serious and 11 in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 55-year-old male patient in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH for flu symptoms on August 30 and was admitted to the isolation ward. His condition deteriorated on the same day (August 30) and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. The patient was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. The test result for human swine influenza is confirmed positive today (31 August). The patient is on ventilation support and is prescribed Relenza. He has a history of nasopharyngeal cancer. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 14 staff members of public hospitals (six male and eight female, including eight nurses/nursing students, one allied health professional and five supporting staff). So far there were 368 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 247 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/Monday, August 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:48
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