A spokesman for Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) said there had been 160 newly confirmed cases of A/H1N1 influenza in the 24 hours to 2:30 PM (0630 GMT) on Saturday in Hong Kong.

The new cases involve 77 males and 83 females, aged between one and 72, the spokesman said.

This brings to 2,512 the total number of A/H1N1 influenza cases in Hong Kong, said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, DH is investigating a suspected A/H1N1 influenza case involving an 81-year-old woman living in an elderly home in Yuen Long.

The patient developed fever and cough on July 23 and was admitted to the hospital on July 24. Her condition is stable.

The specimen taken from her was tested positive to A/H1N1 influenza by the hospital Saturday. Confirmation by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Center is still pending.

DH's medical personnel had visited the institution and provided health advice, the spokesman said.

"So far, there is no influenza-like illness outbreak in the elderly home and tamiflu has been given to close contacts of the patient as antiviral chemoprophylaxis. The department will continue medical surveillance for staff and residents of the elderly home," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2009)