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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to the recent influenza situation in Hong Kong, the Hospital Authority (HA), in close collaboration with the Centre for Health Protection, has activated the enhanced monitoring system for severe influenza patients staying in the intensive care units of public hospitals. The HA spokesman today (February 2) announced that there are three newly confirmed Human Swine Influenza (HSI) cases in critical condition, including a 36-year-old female patient and a 39-year-old male patient in Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH). The third patient is a 76-year-old male in United Christian Hospital (UCH). The two patients in PWH developed flu symptoms and were admitted to hospital for treatment on January 31, and the 39-year-old male patient is now on ventilation support. The patient in UCH was admitted on January 30 and is on ventilation support. All three patients are being treated in intensive care units with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The hospitals will continue to closely monitor their condition.
Furthermore, Pok Oi Hospital announced that a 55-year-old critical HSI male patient had died today due to continued deterioration of clinical condition. The hospital would like to express its condolences to the patient's family.
As at 2pm today, there were a total of 25 influenza patients staying in the intensive care units of public hospitals, including the above three newly confirmed HSI cases.
Ends/Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:59
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