The Press Office under the Ministry of Health published Saturday afternoon a press release on the latest SARS situation on the Chinese mainland.

From 10:00 am August 15 to 10:00 am August 16, the Chinese mainland reported no new diagnosed or suspected SARS case, no death, and 3 patients (from Beijing) recovered and discharged from hospital.

Now no diagnosed patient is receiving treatment in hospital on the Chinese mainland.

According to the ministry, 24 Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China have been hit by the SARS epidemic since early this year.

As of 10 am August 16, a total of 5,327 SARS cases were reported on the Chinese mainland, 4,959 patients were cured and discharged from hospital. Death toll from the disease stood at 349.

A spokesman for the ministry said that given that there are no more SARS cases on the Chinese mainland, the health ministry would suspend its daily report on SARS situation.

The spokesman said the stop of daily report did not mean the end of anti-SARS drive. He called on all medical workers to remain vigilant and to get prepared to meet challenges brought about by possible return of the disease.

(China.org.cn August 16, 2003)