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The following is jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority:
As at 1 pm today (March 27), a total of 367 people with pneumonia symptoms have been admitted to public hospitals. The 51 additional patients reported today include six healthcare workers and 22 patients from Amoy Garden. The remaining 23 were new patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.
As at today, 19 patients have been discharged from hospitals. A total of 45 patients are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit. An additional patient, a Filipino female, with atypical pneumonia died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital on March 24.
DH confirmed four new cases of atypical pneumonia involving school children comprising three boys and a girl aged from five to 13. These cases are among the 367 cases reported today.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DH) appealed to patients who had consulted a private doctor, Dr Lau Tai Kwan, between March 20 and 22 to contact the Department at 2760 7721 during office hour. Dr Lau suffered from atypical pneumonia and has been included in the reported cases.
Dr Lau's clinic address is Room 130, Tung Ying Building, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. He developed symptoms on March 20 and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on March 22.
DH and HA are pleased to see the development of rapid diagnostic test which facilitates prompt confirmation of severe respiratory syndrome cases and evaluation of effectiveness of treatment.
"We have great appreciation for the efforts of the health professionals in the management of atypical pneumonia, and the important research progress of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong towards identification of the cause of the disease," a DH spokesman added.
The breakdown of figures is as follows:
| Nature | Total Admission (The numbers in bracket are those with pneumonia symptoms) |
| Health care workers of Hospitals/Clinics and medical students | 149 (148)
10 of the patients were discharged |
| Patients, family members & visitors | 221 (219)
Nine of the patients were discharged |
| Total admission | 370 (367)
19 were discharged |
DH has set up a telephone hotline 2961 8968 to provide members of the public health advice on 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.
End/Thursday, March 27, 2003
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