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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 20):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provided treatment to a total of 1,140 patients with flu-like symptoms.
There were 492 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the 24 hours to 2.30pm today. This brings to 22,054 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 224 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 207 cases are in stable condition, nine in serious and eight in critical condition.
The newly confirmed critical case announced today is a 43 year-old male patient in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). The patient with a history of asthma admitted QEH via the Accident and Emergency Department for flu symptoms on September 19. His condition deteriorated later and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The test result for human swine influenza was confirmed positive on the same day. He is currently on ventilation support and in critical condition. The hospital will closely monitor his condition.
Another newly confirmed critical case is receiving treatment at Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). He is a 34-year-old male patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis. The patient developed flu symptoms on September 18. He attended the Department of Accident and Emergency of TMH on September 19 and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on the same day. Positive result of human swine influenza is confirmed today (September 20). He is prescribed Tamiflu, Relenza and antibiotics and is on ventilation support. The hospital is closely monitoring his condition.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 13 staff members of public hospitals (two male and 11 female, comprising one doctor, five nurses, one allied health professionals, five supporting staff and one clerical staff). So far 615 HA staff members have been confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 484 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/Sunday, September 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:49
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