************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman today (December 8) announced that it will follow the government's decision to lower the influenza response level under the Framework of Government's Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic from "Serious" to "Alert" Response Level with effect today.
Under the Alert Response Level, members of the public are reminded that the following arrangements will be implemented in public hospitals and clinics:
* Visiting hours will be returned to not more than four hours per day and not more than two visitors per visit for all acute wards; and not more than six hours per day and not more than two visitors for all convalescent hospitals.
* Visitors and patients having respiratory symptoms are required to wear surgical mask in the patient areas of public hospitals and clinics.
* All staff members, patients and visitors are required to practise hand hygiene at all times.
* The triage assessment for fever patients with respiratory symptoms will continue at Accident & Emergency Departments and General Outpatient Clinics.
"Posters and notices will be posted at public hospitals and clinics to remind members of the public the scale down of response level and the corresponding revised arrangements."
"In close collaboration with the Centre for Health Protection, we will stay vigilant to monitor the latest development of the influenza situation and the need to update the measures. We will continue to keep the general public and professionals informed of the updated situation and relevant information," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 13:31
NNNN
