Hong Kong reported 702 newly confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 in the 24 hours up to 02:30 p. m. on Friday, bringing the number of the city's cumulative cases to 20,848, local health authorities said.

The new cases involved 351 males and 351 females, aged between one month and 81 years, said the Department of Health of Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said currently a total of 163 confirmed patients are staying in public hospitals for treatment. Among them, 148 are in stable condition, eight in serious and seven in critical condition.