Press Release - April 8, 2003

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

A total of 138 patients in Hong Kong have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 11 were discharged today.

As at 3 pm today (April 8), an additional 45 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia were admitted to Hong Kong�s public hospitals. They include 18 healthcare workers (nine from Princess Margaret Hospital, five from Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, three from United Christian Hospital and one from Queen Elizabeth Hospital) and 5 patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 22 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 sixteen patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

Two male patients, all with a history of chronic disease, died in hospitals last night, bringing to 25 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong. The two patients, aged 81 and 74, died in Prince of Wales Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital respectively.

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