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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 18):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 843 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 247 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 7,561 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 64 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 57 cases are in stable condition, one in serious and six in critical condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 13 staff members of public hospitals (five male and eight female, including one doctor, seven nurses, one allied health professional, one clerical staff and three supporting staff). So far there were 183 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 122 have already recovered and returned to work.
On the other hand, hospital records reveal that there is one more critical patient (67-year-old, male) who has been tested positive for Influenza A (H3) and is currently under treatment in the isolation ward of United Christian Hospital.
The HA spokesman reminded the public that HA has progressively resumed service for chronic patients with scheduled appointment at the eight designated flu clinics (DFC). Chronic patients who have been pre-scheduled for follow up at the DFCs should go to the clinics according to their date of original appointment, bringing along the appointment slip and Identity Card. Other general outpatient services such as episodic disease, injection and wound care will not be resumed at these DFCs for the time being. Patients with other illnesses are advised to seek medical treatment at other general outpatient clinics in the district or private practitioners.
Ends/Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:02
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