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

Today (June 23) is the day on which the World Health Organization (WHO) took Hong Kong off the list of areas with recent local transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It is also the 12th consecutive day of zero infection in Hong Kong.

The number of patients recovered and discharged from hospital was 1411. One patient was discharged today.

There are 23 patients still in hospital. Nine of these patients, who were confirmed not SARS patients after serology tests, would be removed from the list of confirmed cumulative number of cases at a later date. Four other patients are receiving treatment for other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. The remaining 10 patients are undergoing treatment in intensive care unit. In addition, 25 are recovering patients in convalescence and in preparation for discharge.

The last confirmed SARS case was a patient who had on-set of the disease on May 28 and had already been admitted to hospital on June 2.

There is no fatality. The cumulative total number of deaths relating to SARS remains at 296.

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 still required to complete a health declaration. Seven passengers were screened out during temperature checks at these points yesterday and all were released after undergoing further medical checks.

The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to public hospitals with SARS since March 12 is as follows:

Nature                             Cumulative 


                                   Number


Health care workers                386 


of Hospitals/Clinics               374 of the patients 


and medical students               were discharged 




Patients,                          1369 


family members                     1037 of the patients 


& visitors                         were discharged




Cumulative                         1755** 


number                             1411 were discharged 


*Suspected case                     0 

** There are 25 recovering patients in convalescence.

End/Monday, June 23, 2003

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• Prevention of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome