Press Release - April 24, 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 567 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 45 were discharged today (April 24). There are also 135 recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.

As at 1 pm today, there is an additional 30 patients confirmed to have atypical pneumonia following admission to public hospitals earlier. They include three healthcare workers (one from Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, one from St Teresa's Hospital, one from Baptist Hospital). The remaining 27 are other patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. One hundred and eight patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Four male patients died in Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH), Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) and Tai Po Hospital (TPH). This brought to 109 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong.

The deceased are aged from 39 to 87 and all have a history of chronic disease. Their information is as follows: