Press Release - June 9, 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, there is one new confirmed case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) today (June 9) following 2 new confirmed cases on Saturday (June 7) and zero infection yesterday (June 8). This is the 25th consecutive day on which the number of cases has fallen below 5 since May 16. There is no case involving healthcare workers today.

Ten more patients recovered and were discharged on Saturday (June 7) and 4 yesterday (June 8). The number of patients recovered and discharged from hospital continues to rise to 1365. Of them, one was discharged today.

The number of SARS patients in intensive care unit is 19. These cases are part of the 66 cases under treatment in hospitals. Most of the patients are showing positive responses to the treatment protocol. In addition, 34 are recovering patients in convalescence and in preparation for discharge.

No fatality was reported on Saturday (June 7). One patient, a man aged 57 with underlying disease, died in Queen Mary Hospital yesterday (June 8). One male patient, aged 34, died in Tseung Kwan O Hospital today. This brought to 288 the total number of deaths relating to SARS in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, temperature checks for all passengers at the airport, ports and border points continue to be implemented to watch for travellers displaying symptoms of SARS. In addition, all incoming travellers are required to complete a health declaration. Five passengers were screened out at these points yesterday. After undergoing further medical checks, three were cleared of SARS symptoms and continued their journey and two others were referred to hospitals for observation.

All household contacts of confirmed or suspected SARS patients are required to undergo home confinement for monitoring and treatment up to a maximum of 10 days. So far, a total of 1 262 persons (from 493 households) had been covered, of whom 34 had been found to have SARS. Thanks to the co-operation of the confinees and members of the community, no new warning letter has been issued since May 16 and the scheme is running smoothly.