A senior official said in Beijing on Saturday the proved effective
measures to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have
given them confidence and capability to bring the disease under
control.
"We are confident and capable even if there would be a possible new
round of outbreak," said Cai Fuchao, the municipal publicity head,
at a press conference.
Along with the notable decrease in the number of SARS cases over
the last week, more and more people ease their concern over the
flu-like disease and have begun to go shopping or eat in
restaurants as before.
The increasing number of people in many public places poses a new
challenge to Beijing's anti-SARS efforts, and the city authorities
have taken measures to prevent SARS cases from rising again, said
Cai.
The intensified preventive measures are focused on construction
sites, schools and communities, as well as among healthy people, he
said.
More specific measures will be adopted for better ventilation,
disinfection and surrounding environment in public places, added
Cai, who is also an official with the city's anti-SARS joint task
force.
Theaters and Internet cafes that have been shut as a measure to
prevent the SARS disease will remain closed, while more colorful
cultural activities will be offered for citizens to spend the spare
time.
The joint efforts of all citizens have been approved an most
important factor for the current achievements in combating SARS in
Beijing, said Cai, hoping they will further the efforts and
strengthen their personal prevention to meet the new challenge.
Beijing witnesses downward trend of SARS cases
Beijing has seen a "notable downward" trend of SARS cases over the
last week thanks to the government's effective disease control and
treatment measures, Cai said.
The number of SARS patients in the city dropped markedly from May
17 to May 23, with the average confirmed SARS cases decreasing to
13.2 per day.
The daily average number of health workers infected with the SARS
virus dropped from 15.81 during April 21 to May 1 to 1.1 in the
last week.
Of
the eight foreign SARS patients in Beijing, Cai said, seven have
been discharged from hospitals upon recovery and one died.
The number of SARS cases were on the decrease amid increase in the
number of discharged patients. Last week, Cai said, a total of 399
patients were discharged.
Preparations for Olympic 2008 not affected
The SARS epidemic will not affect the preparatory work for the 2008
Olympic Games. The internal preparatory work for the Games is still
underway while some related public activities have been postponed,
said Cai.
Beijing is deeply grateful to the "full support" of the
International Olympic Committee to its fight against SARS, said
Cai.
The designing and construction work of gymnasiums are still
continuing for the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing.
The anti-SARS measures have paid off in Beijing, a city with a
population of 13 million.
Beijing reported 26 new SARS cases and 3 new deaths from the
disease from 10:00 am May 23 to 10:00 am May 24, the Ministry of
Health said Saturday.
(People's Daily May 24, 2003)