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The following is jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority:
There is no new confirmed case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) today (June 12). This is the fourth time that Hong Kong recorded zero infection (the last three times were on May 24, June 5 and 8). It is also the 28th consecutive day on which the number of cases has fallen below 5 since May 16.
The number of patients recovered and discharged from hospital continues to rise to 1377. Of them, three were discharged today.
The number of SARS patients in intensive care unit is 17. These cases are part of the 58 cases under treatment in hospitals. Most of the patients are showing positive responses to the treatment protocol. In addition, 29 are recovering patients in convalescence and in preparation for discharge.
No fatality was reported. The cumulative total of deaths relating to SARS remains at 291.
Meanwhile, temperature checks for all passengers at the airport, ports and border points continue to be implemented to watch for travellers displaying symptoms of SARS. In addition, all incoming travellers are required to complete a health declaration. Two passengers were screened out at these points yesterday. After undergoing further medical checks, both were cleared of SARS symptoms and continued their journey.
All household contacts of confirmed or suspected SARS patients are required to undergo home confinement for monitoring and treatment up to a maximum of 10 days. So far, a total of 1 262 persons (from 493 households) had been covered, of whom 34 had been found to have SARS. Thanks to the co-operation of the confinees and members of the community, no new warning letter has been issued since May 16 and the scheme is running smoothly.
The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to public hospitals with SARS since March 12 is as follows:
| Nature | Cumulative Number | Total No. of Discharged Patients | Total No. of Deaths | No. of Patients in Hospital |
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| Health care workers of Hospitals/Clinics and medical students | 386 | 362 ( + 1) | 291 ( + 0) |
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| Patients, family members & visitors | 1369 | 1015 ( + 2) | ||||||||||
| Total | 1755 ( + 0) | 1377 ( + 3) | ||||||||||
| Suspected cases | 1 |
End/Thursday, June 12, 2003
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