Five new patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
were confirmed and seven more died in Hong Kong, according to a
statement jointly issued by Hong Kong's Department of Health and
the Hospital Authority.
As
at 3 p.m. Thursday, there is an additional five patients confirmed
to have SARS following admission to public hospitals earlier. They
include one healthcare worker.
Meanwhile, seven patients died, bringing to 234 the total number of
deaths relating to SARS.
A
total of 1,160 patients have recovered from SARS and have been
discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 32 were discharged on
Thursday alone. There are now 309 patients in hospital, of whom 67
are recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation
for discharge.
Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive
responses to the treatment protocol. Fifty-four patients are
receiving treatment in intensive care unit.
The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to public
hospitals with SARS since March 12 is 1,703.
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2003)