18 Aug 2009
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said there had been 247 newly confirmed cases of human swine influenza (HSI) (Influenza A H1N1) including two cases from elderly homes in the 24 hours to 2.30pm today (August 18).
The new cases involve 128 males and 119 females, aged between five months and 83 years.
The first case involved an elderly home in Kwai Tsing where a 76-year-old man was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on August 16.
The second case involved another elderly home in Kwai Tsing where an 83-year-old man was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on August 17.
Respiratory specimen taken from the two patients were tested positive to HSI by laboratory of public hospital.
Both of the patients are now in stable condition.
DH had visited the institutions and provided health advice, the spokesman said.
"The department will continue to put the staff and residents of the elderly homes under medical surveillance," he said.
This brings to 7,561 the total number of human swine influenza cases in Hong Kong.