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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 (HA) spokesman provided the following updates today (September 14):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to 1,600 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 580 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 18,098 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, 150 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 133 cases are in stable condition, eight in serious and nine in critical condition.
A newly confirmed critical case is receiving treatment at Tuen Mun Hospital. He is a 57-year-old male patient who is a chronic smoker with obesity. The patient attended the Department of Accident and Emergency of Tuen Mun Hospital on September 12 due to flu symptoms. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on the same day and is on ventilation support. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed yesterday (September 13). He was prescribed Tamiflu, Relenza and antibiotics. The hospital is closely monitoring his condition.
The confirmed cases announced today included four staff members of public hospitals (one male and three female, including one nurse and three supporting staff). So far there have been 528 Hospital Authority staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 392 have already recovered and returned to work.
The spokesman reminded the public that he 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 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, September 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:13
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