Press Release - May 24, 2003

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

Hong Kong has recorded zero infection for the first time since it raged its war against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Speaking at a press briefing today (May 24) the HKSAR Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan, reminded members of the public not to be offguard in the prevention of SARS.

"We are glad that the figures are improving significantly. However, there may still be fluctuations before the situation stabilizes," she said.

"Therefore we must stay vigilant and take measures to avoid contracting the disease and prevent its spread."

In Hong Kong, a total of 1266 patients have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 11 were discharged today. There are now 119 active cases under treatment in hospitals, of whom 40 patients are in intensive care unit. Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the treatment protocol. In addition, 77 are recovering patients in convalescence and in preparation for discharge.

Two patients died in Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) and United Christian Hospital (UCH). This brought to 262 the total number of deaths relating to SARS in Hong Kong.