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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, a Hospital Authority spokesman provided the following updates today (August 14):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provided treatment to a total of 621 patients.
As at 2.30pm today (August 14), there were 224 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 6,640 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, 48 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 39 cases are in stable condition, four in serious and five in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 60-year-old male patient of United Christian Hospital (UCH). The patient developed flu symptoms on Wednesday (August 12) and he was admitted to isolation ward via Accident and Emergency Department of UCH yesterday (August 13). Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed yesterday. The patient received Tamiflu medication treatment. His condition deteriorated today and he is on non-invasive ventilation support. The patient has a history of chronic airway disease and the hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Another newly confirmed critical case is a 63-year-old female patient of North District Hospital (NDH). The patient developed flu symptoms on August 6. She was admitted to isolation ward via Accident and Emergency Department of NDH yesterday. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on the same day. She was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. The patient¡¦s condition deteriorated today and she is on ventilation support in the intensive care unit. The patient has a history of hypertension. The hospital will closely monitor her condition.
The confirmed cases announced today included eight staff members of public hospitals (one male and seven female, including one doctor, one nurse, one allied health professional, two clerical staff and three supporting staff). So far 146 Hospital Authority staff members have been confirmed as human swine influenza. Of them, 102 have already recovered and returned to work.
Hospital records reveal that there are two more critical patients who have been tested positive for Influenza A (H3) and are currently under treatment in the intensive care unit of North District Hospital (20-year-old male) and Tseung Kwan O Hospital (86-year-old male).
Ends/Friday, August 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:13
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