Press Release - April 3, 2003

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

As at 1 pm today (April 3), an additional 26 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia were admitted to Hong Kong�s public hospitals. They include two healthcare workers and two patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 22 were new patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

In Hong Kong, a total of 98 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, nine are discharged today, including two medical students.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. Eighty-five of them are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.
A 56-year-old man with a history of chronic heart disease died in Princess Margaret Hospital today, bringing to 17 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong.

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