The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome has reached a critical moment, Director of Health Margaret Chan says. While the number of new cases has fallen into the teens over the past two days, 17 yesterday and 16 today, "we can't afford to be complacent," she told this afternoon's daily press briefing.

"In terms of statistics, it is a very good indication, we're pleased about the trend," Dr Chan said. But, she added: "The world over, there is scant knowledge about this disease. I don't want to jump to the conclusion that the situation is under control. While the movement is in a favourable direction, you can't be blase."

36 more patients discharged from hospital today

As at 1pm today, 16 new patients in public hospitals were confirmed to have atypical pneumonia. A total of 668 patients - more than 43% of all confirmed cases - have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 36 were sent home today.

The new confirmed cases include include two healthcare workers (one from Caritas Medical Centre and one from Tuen Mun Hospital). The remaining 14 are other patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

Most of the 742  patients currently in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 100, about 13%, are receiving treatment in intensive-care units.

Another 115 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge.

Twelve patients, many of them suffering from other chronic diseases, died in the last day.

A 58-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman, both with underlying illnesses, died at Princess Margaret Hospital, along with a 56-year-old man. Two women, aged 76 and 91, died at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital. The younger woman suffered from chronic illness. A man, 82, died at the Prince of Wales Hospital. A 74-year-old woman died at Kwong Wah Hospital; she had underlying illnesses. An 86-year-old woman died at Tuen Mun Hospital; she, too, was suffering from other illnesses. A 73-year-old woman died at Tai Po Hospital. Two women, aged 45 and 72, both suffering from chronic illnesses, died at United Christian Hospital, as did a 77-year-old man.

This brought to 133 the number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia.

Temperature taking system works well

Since health authorities began temperature checks of all incoming passengers at all arrival points, only three people have been referred to hospital for follow-up after showing a high fever.

Yesterday, a five-year-old boy at Lo Wu was referred to hospital; today, an 11-year-old, also at Lo Wu, was sent to hospital. A middle-aged man at Sha Tau Kok was also sent to hospital for obervation. None of the three has been confirmed as having SARS.

'Even one death is too many'

Responding to the high number of deaths reported today, Dr Chan noted that many of the deceased "were people that were quite old with severe underlying conditions".

Two of the younger patients who died were from Amoy Gardens, Block E, she said.

"Our experience in the last several weeks shows that age is one of the factors, whether or not the patient has underlying disease is another important factor, as is the stage at which they seek medical treatment."

She stressed that the Hospital Authority will do everything it can to save every life. "Even one death is too many," she said.

The Chief Executive is "very concerned", she said. "We keep asking ourselves what more can be done. We keep our fingers crossed that this change [the lower number of new cases] will be persistent."