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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) today (November 5) reminded the public of the new opening hours of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from this Saturday (November 7) in view of alleviation in service demand. The eight DFCs will run a half-day service (9am to 1pm) during the weekends and holidays, while full-day service (9am to 5pm) will be maintained from Mondays to Fridays.
The HA spokesman said the HA would continue to closely monitor the service demand at DFCs and adjust the service hours to meet the needs as and when necessary.
To wrap up the situation in the past week (October 29 ¡V November 4), the HA spokesman said a total of 1,292 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the eight DFCs.
Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 69 are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 54 in stable condition, six in serious and nine in critical condition.
Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included 30 staff members of public hospitals (eight male and 22 female, comprising two doctors, seven nurses, four allied health professionals, one administrative/clerical staff and 16 supporting staff). So far 1,068 HA staff members have been confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 1,044 have already recovered and returned to work.
The spokesman reminded the public that the test 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 months old; healthcare workers including staff from residential homes; patients living in institutions without outbreak; and influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38¢XC) or whose condition deteriorates 48 hours after treatment.
Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild conditions. Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private hospitals and clinics.
Ends/Thursday, November 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:56
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