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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, a Hospital Authority spokesman provided the following updates today (September 11):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provided treatment to 1,140 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 493 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 16,364 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, 145 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 130 cases are in stable condition, eight in serious and seven in critical condition.
The confirmed cases announced today included seven staff members of public hospitals (one male and six female, including five nurses and two supporting staff). So far 500 Hospital Authority staff members have been confirmed as human swine influenza. Of them, 369 have already recovered and returned to work.
The spokesman reminded the public that the Hospital Authority had 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, taking 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/Friday, September 11, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:58
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