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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 (September 13):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 1097 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 529 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 17,518 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 153 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 138 cases are in stable condition, seven in serious and eight in critical condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 10 staff members of public hospitals (six male and four female, including one doctor, six nurses, and three supporting staff). So far there were 524 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 369 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/Sunday, September 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:13
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