Five new patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) were confirmed in Hong Kong while seven patients were released from hospitals, three died, according to a statement jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong on Monday.
As at 01:00 p.m. Monday, there is an additional 5 patients confirmed to have SARS following admission to public hospitals earlier. They include two healthcare workers.
A total of 1,066 patients have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 7 were discharged today. There are now 399 patients in hospital, of whom 76 are recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.
Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positiveresponses to the treatment protocol. Sixty-one patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.
Three patients died, bring to 218 the total number of deaths relating to SARS.
The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to public hospitals with SARS since March 12 is 1,683.
(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2003)