Hong Kong confirmed 41 new cases of influenza A/H1N1 on Wednesday which involved the city's first serious case, local health authorities said.

A spokesman for the Department of Health of Hong Kong said that among the 41 new cases, a 76-year-old man who had been admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on July 5 is now in serious condition.

Laboratory analysis on respiratory samples taken from the man yielded a positive result for influenza A/H1N1 on Wednesday.

Controller of the Center for Health Protection of the department Thomas Tsang said that the man has been suffering from a chronic disease.

As the number of confirmed cases of new flu grows, it is expected to see serious and fatal cases coming up, Tsang said.

The man lives in Sha Tin with his wife who is a symptomatic. Investigation into the case is ongoing.

The newly confirmed cases brought the total to 1,055 in the territory.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2009)