Press Release - April 12, 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 215 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 46 were discharged today (April 12).

As at 1 pm today, an additional 49 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia were admitted to public hospitals. They include three healthcare workers (two from Kwong Wah Hospital and one from Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital) and 11 patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 35 were new 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 twenty patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Three patients died in Princess Margaret Hospital last night and early this morning, bring to 35 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong. The three deceased included a man and a woman, aged 39 and 35 respectively, and a 67-year-old male patient who has a history of chronic disease.

The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to Hong Kong�s public hospitals with atypical pneumonia since March 12 is as follows: