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SINGAPORE: Singapore has confirmed 82 new cases of H1N1 flu, bringing the total to 783 so far. Most are local cases.
Three hundred patients have fully recovered, while the rest are in stable condition.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it is making the transition to the mitigation phase, so those with flu-like symptoms may see polyclinic or pandemic preparedness clinic doctors, who will make a preliminary assessment. They need not call 993 for the special ambulance.
Only severely ill or high-risk patients will be tested for the H1N1 flu virus, and hospitalised if needed. Those with mild symptoms may be sent home and if necessary, prescribed anti-viral drugs.
The ministry said doctors will take into account patients' risk of developing influenza-related complications, prevalence of H1N1 flu in the community and weigh the risks and benefits of treatment.
Depending on the severity of patients' illness and other risk factors, they may be referred to the hospital for further management. Hospitals will increasingly focus on managing more complex cases.
In this transition stage, MOH said hospitals have used their clinical discretion to selectively test patients for H1N1 flu only when required for clinical management (eg. severely ill patients) and/or in situations where it will be of significant public health importance.
Cases that are assessed to be very mild are not hospitalised but placed on home quarantine orders.
The ministry said H1N1 flu testing is not necessary before treatment is starts and there is no need for GPs to send all suspected cases to hospital for testing.
- CNA/yt
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