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Dean of Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, clinical professor Dr Teerawat Kulthanan said hospitals were postponing for up to two weeks general operations for patients who could delay treatment.

According to the Public Health Ministry, the new strain of typeA(H1N1) flu has already claimed 24 lives in Thailand and infected more than 4,469 cases.

Teerawat said because of the outbreak, the hospital had to reserve some intensive care units for patients with the influenza - which could delay some patients with other illnesses. However, he said, this should not affect general operations as doctors would diagnose and continue to provide close care for patients.

Siriraj Hospital's deputy director, Dr Sanan Wisuthisakchai said 3,000 patients with flulike symptoms had been admitted during the five day holiday period early this month.

But now the number of patients with the symptoms had decreased drastically to 300 cases per day. Only 60 of these cases tested positive to the TypeA (H1N1) of influenza,while the rest had seasonal flu.

The number of patients with flu symptoms admitted to Chulalongkorn Hospital, one of the country's top medical schools, also increased drastically, prompting the hospital to rearrange its medical services for patients.

Chulalongkorn Hospital's director, Dr Adisorn Phattaradul said at least 100 patients with flu symptoms had applied each day for admission as inpatients and outpatients.

In the first three months of the flu outbreak, only two cases per day attended the hospital; but now at least 20 patients were seeking medication each day. Of this number, two or three were found suffering from severe flu symptoms.

The hospital has isolated flu victims from other patients and services for outpatients would be available at Chakkraphong Building.

If the pandemic is prolonged throughout the year, Adisorn worries tmedical workers will be overtaxed providing treatment as many are now are tired and some have been  infected with the new flu virus from outside sources.

Meanwhile, the increasing of number of patients with flulike symptoms has also affected medical services at Ramathibhodi Hospital.

Dr Surasak LeelaUdomlipi, the hospital's director, said on average it receives 300 to 400 flu patients with flulike symptoms per day. Half have the new flu virus but only 2  3 per cent were admitted for observation. Most make a full recovery and go home within two days.