Six patients were confirmed to contract Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and seven patients died as at 1 pm Tuesday in Hong Kong, said the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.
The newly contracted include two healthcare workers, one from Princess Margaret Hospital and the other from Shatin Hospital. The remaining four are other patients and contacts of patients with SARS.
The seven new deaths, including four women and three men aged from 35 to 79, brought to 225 the total number of deaths relating to SARS.
Among them, is a female doctor who worked in Tuen Mun Hospital,New Territory. She contracted SARS virus when treating SARS patients and was hospitalized on April 3.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,090 patients have recovered from SARS. Of them, 24 were discharged Tuesday. There are now 374 patients in hospital, of whom 74 are recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.
Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the treatment protocol. Fifty-seven patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.
(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2003)