Press Release - April 18, 2003

The following is jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority of the Hong Kong Special Admistrative Region (HKSAR):

In Hong Kong, total of 322 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 50 were discharged today (April 18).

As at 1 pm today, there is an additional 30 patients confirmed to have atypical pneumonia following admission to public hospitals earlier. They include two healthcare workers (one from Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and one from Princess Margaret Hospital). The remaining 28 were other patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. One hundred and twelve patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Four patients died in hospitals, bring to 69 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong. A 63-year-old female and two men, aged 73 and 67, all with a history of chronic disease, died in Princess Margaret Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital respectively. A 42-year-old male died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to Hong Kong�s public hospitals with atypical pneumonia since March 12 is as follows: