Speaking at a press conference on SARS, he said that any number of SARS patients "is too high for us," and "it's always painful to see someone dying (of SARS)."

According to him, the measures Hong Kong is adopting in this direction include strengthening the prevention efforts to stop the spread of the disease, reinforcing health checks across the border, and striving for the better treatment results.

"We are working very, very hard," he said, adding that while at the start of the outbreak of SARS, nothing is known about the new virus in Hong Kong, a lot of experience and information have been garnered on the disease for the past several weeks.

He noted that of the total 1,200 SARS patients, the death rate stood at 5 percent, with most of the deaths occurring when the patients contracting other kinds of diseases in addition to SARS or already seriously ill were hospitalized.

Tung said that he is "the most impatient" of all Hong Kong people for more measures to bring the disease under control, but careful consideration and consultation are needed before making any decisions for the general interest of Hong Kong.

The chief executive expressed belief that Hong Kong's medical staff will "gradually get on top of the disease."

Thirty six new patients with SARS were admitted to hospitals in Hong Kong while 14 were released after being confirmed of recovery, according to a statement jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong Wednesday.

So far, a total of 257 patients have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from public hospitals. Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol.

The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to public hospitals with SARS since March 12 is 1,268, and 61 of them died.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2003)