Press Release - May 20, 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, there are four new confirmed cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) today (May 20). It is the 17th day in a row that Hong Kong's daily infection cases were in single digits. There is no SARS case involving healthcare worker today.

Speaking at today's press conference, the HKSAR Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan, expressed gratitude on co-operation from citizens in the prevention of SARS.

"Although the figures are at a relatively low level, we should not be off guard. The public should continue taking relevant measures to avoid contracting the disease and prevent spread of the disease," she added.

In Hong Kong, a total of 1229 patients have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 16 were discharged today. There are now 178 active cases under treatment in hospitals, of whom 44 patients are in intensive care unit. Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the treatment protocol. In addition, 58 are recovering patients in convalescence and in preparation for discharge.

Two patients died in Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) and Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). This brought to 253 the total number of deaths relating to SARS in Hong Kong.

The deceased include one man and one woman. Their information is as follows: