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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 23):
The Designated Flu Clinics today (as at 5pm) provide treatment to a total of 1,863 patients with flu-like symptoms.
As at 2.30pm today, there were 677 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza in the past 24 hours. This brings to 23,898 the total number of confirmed human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong. Currently, a total of 177 confirmed cases are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 159 cases are in stable condition, eight in serious and 10 in critical condition.
There are two newly confirmed critical cases announced today, including a 44-year-old female patient with asthma in Yan Chai Hospital, a 40-year-old male patient in Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals. They were admitted to hospitals on 22 September due to influenza symptoms. The test results for human swine influenza were subsequently confirmed and they were prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and on ventilation support.
Furthermore, the confirmed cases announced today included 15 staff members of public hospitals (three male and 12 female, including one doctor, 10 nurses, two allied health professionals and two supporting staff). So far there were 664 HA staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 525 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/Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:46
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