The number of deaths from A/H1N1flu in Hong Kong rose to 50 on Wednesday with the death of 30-year-old woman.

The woman sought emergency medical help at a local hospital on December 19 after developing fever and cough, and was confirmed to be influenza A/H1N1 positive the next day, the local Hospital Authority said.

The condition of the patient deteriorated and was transferred to the intensive care unit on December 21. She was put on the ventilation support.

The patient died on Wednesday afternoon.

The Hospital Authority on Wednesday also reported a critical case, which involves a 52-year-old man who had received kidney transplant in the past.

In a separate development, local health authorities said 15,467 had received influenza A/H1N1 vaccinations since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) rolled out a vaccination program first targeting vulnerable groups since Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2009)