The Chief Executive says he is encouraged by progress in the fight against atypical pneumonia.

Tung Chee Hwa said 79 patients have recovered and doctors expect 95% of those infected to make a full recovery. Most of those still in hospital are responding positively to treatment.

Mr Tung called on the public to work together to ensure personal and environmental hygiene, saying "community involvement and co-operation is the key to winning the battle against this disease".

He thanked the public for its co-operation so far and praised the efforts of healthcare workers.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the number of cases from the Amoy Gardens and Prince of Wales Hospital outbreaks is stabilising.

Dr Yeoh urged people to seek treatment as soon as they feel any symptoms.

"If you have treatment early and do not have any underlying disease, 95% of patients are expected to recover if they are treated early. These figures are very encouraging," he said.

There are now 610 confirmed cases of atypical pneumonia, with 64 of the 80 new infections coming from Amoy Gardens.

Sixty-four patients are in intensive care and two more have died bringing the total number of deaths to 15.

One of the patients who died was a 79-year-old man with a history of cardiac disease; the other was a 62-year-old man who was quite ill when he was admitted to hospital.

The Government is appealling to all those who left Amoy Gardens to contact the Department of Health. They will be given health checks to determine whether they show signs of the disease or not.The earlier the treatment begins, the greater the chance of a full recovery.