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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) spokesman provided the following updates today (June 26):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 270 patients.
The HA spokesman reminded the public that the eight DFCs have ceased the provision of general outpatient services. Patients with other illnesses are advised to seek medical treatment at other general outpatient clinics in the district or private practitioners. Chronic patients who have been pre-scheduled for follow up at the eight DFCs should proceed to their corresponding clinics with drug refill service according to their date of original appointment and bring along the appointment slip and Identity Card.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 90 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 596 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Among them, a total of 384 confirmed cases have been discharged from public hospitals upon recovery, the remaining cases in hospitals have been stable (none required intensive care and there were no fatal cases).
Besides, a paediatric patient of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) was among the confirmed cases that the Centre of Health Protection (CHP) reported today. The 12 years old boy was admitted to the paediatric ward of QEH on June 22 due to flu symptoms and was discharged on June 24 upon recovery. During his hospitalization, respiratory sample of the boy was taken for laboratory test on influenza as a routine surveillance. The CHP confirmed the positive result of human swine influenza test on his respiratory sample last night (June 25). The boy has been admitted to QEH for treatment under isolation and is now in stable condition.
QEH has completed the contact tracing of the other eight patients in the same cubicle of the ward. One boy was found to have presented with upper respiratory symptoms and he is now in stable condition. The ward staff are asymptomatic.
HA Infection Control Guideline has been duly observed with surgical masks, gloves and protective gown during patient care. Full set of Personal Protective Equipment (including N95 respirator, face shields, gloves and protective gown) is required for high risk procedures. The Hospital and CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Another confirmed case is a female Clinical Services Assistant in Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH). She developed flu symptoms on June 20 and attended the Central Kowloon Health Centre (one of the DFCs) on June 21. She was prescribed Tamiflu and granted sick leave. CHP confirmed the case on June 25 evening. She is now under isolation treatment in QEH. One of her family members was found to be infected by human swine influenza earlier.
She works in the Palliative Care Ward of HKBH. She follows the HA Infection Control Guidelines for patient care. She wears surgical mask when she is on duty. HKBH has traced the close contacts of the ward staff including patients and staff working in the ward. Up to the present moment, no patient or other staff was found to be infected by human swine influenza. We reassure the public that situation in hospital is under control. We will continue to follow the HA Infection Control Guideline and hygiene for patients and staff.
Ends/Friday, June 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:08
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