March 31, 2003
The following is jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority:
As at 1 pm today (March 31), a total of 79 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals.
Of them, 19 patients, including nine healthcare workers, were discharged today.
Meanwhile, an additional 80 patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia were admitted to public hospitals. They include two healthcare workers and 64 patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 14 were new patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.
Currently, 64 patients are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
A 79-year-old male patient with a history of heart disease died in Prince of Wales Hospital yesterday afternoon. Another 62-year-old male patient, who was very ill when admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, passed away. So far, a total of 15 patients died with atypical pneumonia in public hospitals.
The cumulative figure for patients admitted to public hospitals with atypical pneumonia is 610, starting from March 12.
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 |
164 (164)
45 of the patients were discharged |
| Patients, family members & visitors |
446 (446)
34 of the patients were discharged |
| Total admission |
610 (610)
79 were discharged |