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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to the recent influenza situation in Hong Kong, the Hospital Authority (HA), in close collaboration with the Centre for Health Protection, has activated the enhanced monitoring system for severe influenza patients staying in the intensive care units of public hospitals. The HA spokesman today (February 17) announced that there were two newly confirmed Human Swine Influenza (HSI) cases admitted to intensive care units, including a 56-year-old male patient at Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals who is now in critical condition. Another patient is a 13-month baby girl who is staying at United Christian Hospital, and is in serious condition. Both patients are under Tamiflu treatment and the 56-year-old male patient requires ventilation support. The hospitals will continue to closely monitor their condition.
A 72-year-old female HSI patient in critical condition succumbed today (February 17)at Tuen Mun Hospital due to continued deterioration of clinical condition. A male patient aged 84 with past good health was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 17 due to influenza like symptoms. He succumbed today due to continued deterioration of clinical condition. He had tested positive for influenza A. The hospitals would like to express deep condolences to the patients' family.
As at 2pm today, a total of 29 influenza patients were staying in the intensive care units of public hospitals, including the above two newly confirmed HSI cases.
Ends/Thursday, February 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:12
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