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11 more hospitalized
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday confirmed reports of 11 hospitalized A(H1N1) cases, the most recorded in one day and likely an indicator of a widening epidemic, the local media said.
According to the CECC, this places the current tally of hospitalized cases at 65.
Chang Shan-chwen, the vice health minister who doubles as the deputy commander of the CECC, said most of the 65 patients were admitted for pneumonia, but the severity of the infection varies for each individual.
Some of the affected are those whose infections would probably quickly escalate, require intensive medical care and may even lead to death, said Chang.
But there have also been many cases where patients make full recoveries and are discharged from hospitals, he added.
The vice minister pointed to the United States, where 8,800 hospitalized A(H1N1) cases, including 500 deaths, have been seen.
This demonstrates that the mortality rate in Taiwan is comparable to that in the North American nation, indicating that local medical standards are up to par with developed countries, Chang noted.
He said that recording more than 10 cases a day is part of the flu's natural progression, but could also be a forewarning that warrants continued monitoring of the epidemic.
Steve Kuo, the director general of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), said despite the trending upwards of infected cases, the country recently has not seen one death, adding that the real purpose of medical care is to lower the number of deaths.
There is also the possibility of patients being admitted to hospitals as a result of more prudent care provided by physicians to battle the virus, Kuo said.
Asked if local medical resources are adequate to brace for a sudden flare-up of the epidemic, Chang said according to reports from all regional health authorities, there are 15,088 beds in ICUs across the island, with 4,184 of them empty as of Saturday.
Should there suddenly be over 1,000 people who require admittance into hospitals as a result of A(H1N1) infections, hospitals will still have the means to provide care, Chang remarked.
He added that training of medical care personnel in diagnosing and caring for patients with the new flu strain began as early as May and urged the public not to fret over preparation carried out by the government.
In response to readying for the first day of school on Aug. 31, Ku pointed to the ?325 benchmark,? which delineates the criteria by which schools must suspend classes as a result of flu outbreaks.
But he said there is no way to anticipate school contagions, and added it is his hope not to have eruptions that spiral out of control.
He urged teachers and parents to cooperate in assisting in epidemic control efforts and observing students' health.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/08/30/222595/11-more.htm
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday confirmed reports of 11 hospitalized A(H1N1) cases, the most recorded in one day and likely an indicator of a widening epidemic, the local media said.
According to the CECC, this places the current tally of hospitalized cases at 65.
Chang Shan-chwen, the vice health minister who doubles as the deputy commander of the CECC, said most of the 65 patients were admitted for pneumonia, but the severity of the infection varies for each individual.
Some of the affected are those whose infections would probably quickly escalate, require intensive medical care and may even lead to death, said Chang.
But there have also been many cases where patients make full recoveries and are discharged from hospitals, he added.
The vice minister pointed to the United States, where 8,800 hospitalized A(H1N1) cases, including 500 deaths, have been seen.
This demonstrates that the mortality rate in Taiwan is comparable to that in the North American nation, indicating that local medical standards are up to par with developed countries, Chang noted.
He said that recording more than 10 cases a day is part of the flu's natural progression, but could also be a forewarning that warrants continued monitoring of the epidemic.
Steve Kuo, the director general of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), said despite the trending upwards of infected cases, the country recently has not seen one death, adding that the real purpose of medical care is to lower the number of deaths.
There is also the possibility of patients being admitted to hospitals as a result of more prudent care provided by physicians to battle the virus, Kuo said.
Asked if local medical resources are adequate to brace for a sudden flare-up of the epidemic, Chang said according to reports from all regional health authorities, there are 15,088 beds in ICUs across the island, with 4,184 of them empty as of Saturday.
Should there suddenly be over 1,000 people who require admittance into hospitals as a result of A(H1N1) infections, hospitals will still have the means to provide care, Chang remarked.
He added that training of medical care personnel in diagnosing and caring for patients with the new flu strain began as early as May and urged the public not to fret over preparation carried out by the government.
In response to readying for the first day of school on Aug. 31, Ku pointed to the ?325 benchmark,? which delineates the criteria by which schools must suspend classes as a result of flu outbreaks.
But he said there is no way to anticipate school contagions, and added it is his hope not to have eruptions that spiral out of control.
He urged teachers and parents to cooperate in assisting in epidemic control efforts and observing students' health.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/08/30/222595/11-more.htm
