Beijing is targeting four major transmission categories for SARS in its campaign to control the disease, said an official with Beijing Health Bureau yesterday.

Liang Wannian, deputy director of the bureau, told a regular press conference that new SARS cases tended to come from four categories: people from fever clinics, people under quarantine who had close contact with SARS patients, people from outside Beijing, and 'the general public.'

Han Demin, managing deputy director with the bureau, said the authority was in particular studying cases which are directly diagnosed as SARS rather than transferred from the suspected category.

He said the city is capable of admitting and treating SARS patients at any time or place.

In the 24 hours to 10 am yesterday, Beijing reported 48 new SARS cases, including 34 which were previously listed as ''suspected.'' The city also reported another 35 suspected cases.

The officials said that by focusing on the four points of transmission, Beijing is confident of winning the battle against SARS.

Liang also briefed the press on the disease reporting system, saying it is efficient and accurate.

According to Vice-Mayor Zhang Mao, Beijing has taken rigorous precautions to prevent SARS transmission to medical workers, noticeably lowering their infection rate.

Ministry of Education sources said most college students who left Beijing for their home towns are in good health.

Nine confirmed or suspected SARS cases among the students are in local hospitals for treatment and observation and have not spread the epidemic.

All universities and colleges in Beijing have established a database of all their students outside Beijing to monitor their health status. School authorities keep in contact with the students and update their information every day.

(China Daily May 14, 2003)