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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 (August 16):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 304 patients.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 246 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 7,071 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 58 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 48 cases are in stable condition, four in serious and six in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a four-year-old boy of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). The patient developed flu symptoms on August 14 and was admitted to isolation ward via Accident and Emergency Department of TMH yesterday (August 15). Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on the same day. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. His condition deteriorated yesterday and was transferred to the intensive care unit. He is on ventilation support. The patient has a history of chronic disease. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
The confirmed cases announced today included four female staff members of public hospitals, including one nurse, and three supporting staff.
Ends/Sunday, August 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:46
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