A 61-year-old woman has died of human swine flu, while two infected men are in critical condition.
The Hospital Authority said the woman died at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital this morning.
The two in critical condition are a 59-year-old man who was transferred from a Mainland hospital to Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday, and 60-year-old man at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Speaking after the 9th Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong & Macau today, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said the virus is the same H1N1 strain Hong Kong encountered in 2009, and has shown no significant change in genetic make-up.
“This virus is responsive to all the anti-virals we have stocked and the medicine we have prepared. The number of people admitted to the intensive-care units is roughly 15 to 20 everyday. We expect this might climb slightly in the coming weeks.
“But the number of people who have recovered from intensive care is also quite significant. The most important thing is if we encounter any serious illness, we should admit them and treat them appropriately as soon as possible.”
He said all hospitals have contingency plans to manage an upsurge in admissions.
