**************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
A spokesman for the Hospital Authority (HA) today (January 12) announced that the authority will follow the Government's decision to lower the influenza response level from "Serious" to "Alert" with effect from 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 return 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 with respiratory symptoms are required to wear surgical masks in the patient areas of public hospitals and clinics;
- All staff members, patients and visitors are required to practise good hand hygiene at all times; and
- The triage assessment for fever patients with respiratory symptoms will continue at Accident & Emergency Departments and General Outpatient Clinics.
"Posters and notices will be displayed in public hospitals and clinics to remind members of the public of the stepping down of the response level and the corresponding revised arrangements," the spokesman said.
"In close collaboration with the Centre for Health Protection, we will stay vigilant to monitor the latest developments of the influenza situation and the need to update measures. We will continue to keep the general public and professionals informed of the updated situation and provide relevant information."
Ends/Thursday, January 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:45
NNNN
