The expert revealed that no trace of mass infection of SARS within families, hospitals or construction sites has been detected recently, adding that 87 percent of the newly-reported SARS cases are diagnosed from suspected cases.

Rao Keqin, a senior analyst with China's national SARS prevention and treatment team, said that overall progress has been achieved in China's combat against the disease.

According to statistics from the Chinese Ministry of Health, the newly-reported diagnosed SARS cases have centered in Beijing and Hebei in the past five days, carrying 68 percent and 15 percent of the total respectively.

All provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions except Beijing have reported zero or below ten cases in the past ten days.Beijing also succeeded in keeping the number of new cases under 20in the past eight days, but reported 26 new ones on Saturday.

China is gradually restoring normal order to social life, Rao said, stressing that the country should remain alert to the possible rebound of the infectious disease. Enditem

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2003)