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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 17):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provided treatment to a total of 1,451 patients with flu-like symptoms.
There were 776 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the 24 hours to 2.30pm today. This brings to 20,146 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 173 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 157 cases are in stable condition, nine in serious and seven in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 59-year-old man in the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH). The patient had stayed on the Mainland most of the time. He had flu symptoms and was admitted to and intubated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Mainland hospital since September 6. He was transferred to Hong Kong and was admitted to the ICU of PWH on September 15. Positive result for human swine influenza was confirmed on September 17. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. He is currently on ventilation support. The past health history of the patient is good. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 22 staff members of public hospitals (two male and 20 female, comprising one doctor, 13 nurses, three allied health professionals and five supporting staff). So far 574 HA staff members have been confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 475 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 resume 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/Thursday, September 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:08
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