Press Release - April 30, 2003

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

In Hong Kong, a total of 791 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 32 were discharged today (April 30). There are also 108 recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.

As at 1 pm today, there is an additional 17 patients confirmed to have atypical pneumonia following admission to public hospitals earlier. They include four healthcare workers (one from Tuen Mun Hospital, one from Princess Margaret Hospital, one from Caritas Medical Centre and one from North District Hospital). The remaining 13 are 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. Eighty-five patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Seven patients died in Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH),Caritas Medical Centre (CMC), Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH), Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) and Tai Po Hospital (TPH). This brought to 157 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong.

The deceased, all with a history of chronic disease, include two men and five women who are aged from 44 to 89. Their information is as follows: