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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 (22 September):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 1,917 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 721 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 23,221 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 199 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 178 cases are in stable condition, 11 in serious and 10 in critical condition.
There are three newly confirmed critical cases announced today, including a 66-year-old male patient with chronic airway disease in Princess Margaret Hospital, a 49-year-old female patient with hepatitis B infection and a 63-year-old female patient with lung cancer in United Christian Hospital. They developed influenza symptoms between 18 to 21 September and were admitted hospitals for treatment. The test results for human swine influenza were subsequently confirmed and they were prescribed with Tamiflu. The 66-year-old male and 49-year-old female patients are currently on ventilation support.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 18 staff members of public hospitals (six male and 12 female, including two doctors, five nurses, two clerical staff, four allied health professionals and five supporting staff). So far there were 649 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 496 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/Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:35
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