Press Release - April 14, 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 229 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, six were discharged today (April 14).

As at 3 pm today, an additional 40 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia were admitted to Hong Kong�s public hospitals. They include four healthcare workers (two from Kwong Wah Hospital, one from Prince of Wales Hospital and one from Shatin Hospital) and five patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 31 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-four patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Seven patients died in Hong Kong hospitals last night and this morning, bring to 47 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong. Two women with a history of chronic disease, aged 74 and 67, died in Kwong Wah Hospital. Two men, aged 49 and 78, died in Princess Margaret Hospital. A 69-year-old female and a 74-year-old male with a history of chronic disease died in Prince of Wales Hospital. Another 95-year-old female with a history of chronic disease died in United Christian 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: