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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 24):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 1,074 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 245 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 9,350 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 109 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 93 cases are in stable condition, four in serious and 12 in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 51-year-old male patient of Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH). The patient developed flu symptom on August 21 and was admitted to Isolation Ward via Accident & Emergency Department of TKOH on 23 August 2009. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on the same day. The patient received Tamiflu and antibiotics treatment. His condition deteriorated on 24 August at around 3am and he was sent to Intensive Care Unit and on ventilation support. The patient has a history of epilepsy and the hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 12 staff members of public hospitals (seven male and five female, including two doctors, seven nurses, one allied health professional, one clerical staff and one supporting staff). So far there were 271 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 168 have already recovered and returned to work.
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/Monday, August 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:07
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