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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 (September 15):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provided treatment to a total of 978 patients with flu-like symptoms.
There were 589 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the 24 hours to 2.30pm today. This brings to 18,687 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 141 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 125 cases are in stable condition, eight in serious and eight in critical condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included seven staff members of public hospitals (one male and six female, comprising two doctors, three nurses and two supporting staff). So far there have been 535 HA staff members confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 399 have already recovered and returned to work.
The HA spokesman reminded the public that the HA has progressively resumed service for chronic patients with scheduled appointments at the eight DFCs. 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 their 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 with private practitioners.
Ends/Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:05
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