Press Release - April 28, 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 710 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 42 were discharged today (April 28). There are also 103 recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.

As at 1 pm today, there is an additional 14 patients confirmed to have atypical pneumonia following admission to public hospitals earlier. They include three healthcare workers (two from Tuen Mun Hospital and one from Princess Margaret Hospital). The remaining 11 are other patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. Ninety-three patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Five 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 138 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia.

The deceased are aged from 43 to 82 and three of them have a history of chronic disease. Their information is as follows: