While the number of new atypical cases has declined for three days in a row, Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan says she will not make any prediction "for fear that complacency would fuel relaxtion of our measures."

At the daily press briefing, she stressed that, we're still in the process of trying to understand more about the virus. "From early case detection, contact tracing, border control, public hygiene - these are robust measures that are achieving results. We are very grateful for the cooperation of all sectors, not least the individuals in Hong Kong."

14 new cases, 42 discharged

As at 1pm today, 14 new patients in public hospitals were confirmed to have atypical pneumonia. A total of  710 patients - nearly 46% of all confirmed cases - have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 42 were sent home today.

The new confirmed cases include three healthcare workers (two from Tuen Mun Hospital and one from Princess Margaret Hospital). The remaining 11 are other patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

Most of the 709  patients currently in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 93, about 13%, are receiving treatment in intensive-care units.

Another 103 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge.

Five men, three of them seniors with other chronic illnesses, died in the last day.

They were a 72-year-old patient at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, a 52-year-old at Tuen Mun Hospital, two patients, aged 81 and 82 at Tai Po Hospital, and a 43-year-old resident of Amoy Gardens Block E who died at Princess Margaret Hospital.

This brought to 138 the number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia.

Hong Kong reacts to Taiwan's isolation of 32 tourists

The Hong Kong Government is concerned about a number of Hong Kong residents being quarantined in Taiwan. The 32 members of a package-tour party were forced to isolate themselves inside their Taipei hotel rooms after a 6-year-old girl in the group developed a fever.

"The Chief Executive has authorised me and the colleagues in the department to take it up with relevant authorities in Taiwan," Dr Chan said. "I've been promised that there will be a daily reappraisal of the girl's case; if they can rule out SARS, arrangements will be made for them to return to Hong Kong."

School to close for 10-day period

A 14-year-old Form 3 student returned to school on April 22, the first day of class resumption. She showed no symptoms of atypical pneumonia. That evening, though, she developed a fever and immediately visited a private doctor. She has not returned to school since then. She was referred to hospital on April 25, after a chest X-ray revealed some changes.

The girl is being treated as a suspected case. Although none of the other 41 students in her class are showing any symptoms, the school will close for 10 days from the day she was last at school, until May 2. Students from the school are bringing a letter home to their parents this evening to alert them to this measure.

The PLK Wu Chung College, in Ma On Shan, will be thoroughly disinfected before classes resume on May 5.

People confined to homes are cooperating

There are now 359 households under home confinement orders, involving 918 individuals, Dr Chan said. No warning letters have been issued since yesterday, leaving the total at 35. She thanked the residents for their cooperation.

No new cases were found in any of the former areas of concern such as Amoy Gardens, Koway Court, Lower Ngau Tau Kok nor Tung Tau Estate.

Temperature taking measures prove effective

A 38-year-old Hong Kong resident returning to Hong Kong through the Lok Ma Chau boundary control point was found to have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. He was referred to hospital for obsservatioin and treatment. He is not yet a suspected case.