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The following is jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority:

The Department of Health visited Amoy Gardens last night and performed screening of its residents to ensure their health. A medical surveillance post has been set up to address health concerns of the residents. Investigations including a detailed questionnaire study of the cases are being performed.

Meanwhile, an additional 45 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia were admitted to public hospitals as at 1 pm today (March 29). They include three healthcare workers and 22 patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 20 were new patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

Eighteen patients, including 12 healthcare workers and medical students of Prince of Wales Hospital, were discharged from hospitals today. A total of 43 patients to date have recovered from atypical pneumonia and were discharged.

Currently, 53 patients are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

A 83-year-old male patient with a history of cardiac disease died in Prince of Wales Hospital this morning. This brings to 12 the total number of patients died with atypical pneumonia in public hospitals.

The cumulative figure for patients admitted to public hospitals with atypical pneumonia is 470, starting from March 12.

The breakdown of figures is as follows:

Nature                          Total 
                             Admission
                       (The numbers in 
                           bracket are 
                            those with
                             pneumonia
                             symptoms) 
Health care workers           156 (156)
of Hospitals/Clinics       24 of the patients
and medical students       were discharged
Patients,                     314 (314)
family members                19 of the
& visitors                  patients were
                             discharged
Total admission              470 (470) 
                          43 were discharged

DH has set up a telephone hotline 2961 8968 to provide members of the public health advice on the prevention of atypical pneumonia. The hotline is manned between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Information on atypical pneumonia is also available at DH's website www.info.gov.hk/dh.

End/Saturday, March 29, 2003

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• Prevention of Atypical Pneumonia