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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 26):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 1,190 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 773 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 26,078 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 227 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 207 cases are in stable condition, eight in serious and 12 in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 86-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus, renal disease and chronic brain heamorrhage disease of North District Hospital (NDH). He developed fever and upper respiratory symptoms on September 11. The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of NDH on September 19 and was admitted to isolation ward for clincal treatment. Positive result of HSI was confirmed on September 20 and was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. His condition deteriorated today and was under close monitoring. The patient is now in critical condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 17 staff members of public hospitals (six male and 11 female, including seven nurses, two allied health professionals and eight supporting staff). So far there were 725 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 557 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/Saturday, September 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:38
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