year old male Filipino who was afflicted with swine flu and confined at the Dammam Central Hospital for nearly a month is now on his way to recovery, according to a hospital source. “He is now out of intensive care unit (ICU) and placed at an isolation room until his final recovery. He is still on oxygen, but fully conscious. He remains under close monitoring by infectious disease specialists,” the source said. A week ago, he showed signs of recovery when he started opening his eyes and moving his hands and fingers. “Nursing staff at the ICU units who took care and monitored his condition during the period he was confined at ICU expressed delight and happiness over his recovery,” the source added. Since his admission at the Dammam Central Hospital on Aug. 6, the hospital closely monitored his condition and was given all the required medication and professional care and support, including the assignment of an infectious disease specialist. His employer has also cooperated with the hospital authorities since the patient has no relative in the Kingdom. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office of the Philippine Embassy has been following up his condition. The Ministry of Health has said that although the number of people with confirmed cases of swine flu had risen to the 2,000 mark and 19 deaths, the recovery in the Kingdom of those afflicted with the virus has been 95 percent. The ministry said early detection and treatment were important factors in the recovery of those afflicted with H1N1. As summer vacationers return to the Kingdom to spend Ramadan, and the Haj season draws near, the Ministry of Health is stepping up health security vigilance by intensifying the national swine flu campaign aimed at preventing a new wave of the disease.
