Eight patients in a male rehabilitation ward at Kowloon Hospital have tested positive for Influenza A.

They are aged 47 to 90. The first symptoms, fever or breathing trouble, showed up on October 2. The hospital put out its notice on October 8. That is six days from first symptoms to a public announcement.

All eight are in stable condition. One is currently in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, but for other medical needs, not because of the flu.

The hospital says it has stepped up infection control "according to established guidelines". Every other patient in that ward is under close surveillance. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

If you have a relative on a rehabilitation ward, ask the ward staff what is being done. The notice names no visiting changes and gives no hotline. It also does not say whether more patients have tested positive since October 8.