As of 1 p.m. Friday, an additional 27 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia had been admitted to hospital, according to a statement jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong.

A total of 99 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, one was discharged on Friday.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. One hundred and three patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

The cumulative figure for patients who have been admitted to public hospitals with atypical pneumonia since March 12 is 761.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2003)