Hong Kong is making good progress in its fight against atypical pneumonia, and slowly but surely the number of cases are stabilising, the Chief Executive says.

Speaking at a midday press conference, Tung Chee Hwa reiterated that severe acute respiratory syndrome has brought us an enormous challenge. "Containing SARS is my most important responsibility, and the responsibility of every person in Hong Kong."

Since home quarantine and contact tracing began, "We've seen a huge improvement: 150 people got early treatment, recovered, and we kept disease from spreading out," he said.

He commended the Department of Health, the Police, and other groups involved who have been "very active, very professional."

Mr Tung outlined the five ongoing steps to curb the spread of the disease:

* minimising the number of health professionals who are coming down with atypical pneumonia, in the shortest time possible;

* enhancing health checks at all boundary control points;

* emphasising the importance of personal and environmental hygiene;

* enforcing home isolation of those who have come into close contact with atypical pneumonia patients; and

* doing contact tracing of those who have come into contact with those who have been affected.

The work of home quarantine enforcement and contact tracing "is huge in volume, professional, intensive and uses latest technology," Mr Tung said.

"If more than one family in a building is affected by atypical pneumonia, the entire department moves in to curb the spread of the disease."

After a briefing this morning, Mr Tung said he has much more confidence in winning the fight against the virus.

"Although the development of the disease is still subject to fluctuation," he said, " I believe it has now stabilised."