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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) today (October 15) provided the following wrap up of the past week:
In the past week (October 8-14), a total of 3,240 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the Designated Flu Clinics.
Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 143 are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 119 in stable condition, eight in serious and 16 in critical condition.
Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included 65 staff members of public hospitals (15 male and 50 female, comprising four doctors, 29 nurses, seven allied health professionals, eight administrative/clerical staff and 17 supporting staff). So far 971 HA staff members have been confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 917 have already recovered and returned to work.
The HA spokesman reminded the public that testing for human swine influenza is not routine now because the treatment of patients would not depend on the outcome of the test. Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:
*Pregnant women
*Children at or under 12-month-old
*Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
*Patients living in institutions without outbreak
*Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38¢XC) or whose condition deteriorate 48 hours after treatment
Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition. Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private hospitals and clinics.
Ends/Thursday, October 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:03
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