As at 1pm today, four new patients in public hospitals were confirmed to have SARS syndrome. A total of 1,059 patients - more than 63% of all confirmed cases - have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 24 were sent home today.

No new healthcare workers have come down with the disease.

Most of the 404 patients currently in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 63, about 15%, are receiving treatment in intensive-care units.

Another 78 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge.

Three patients, two with chronic illnesses, died in the last day. They included a 91-year-old woman who died at Prince of Wales Hospital, and a 72-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man who died at United Christian Hospital.

This brings to 215 the number of SARS-related deaths.

"This is the eigth day in a row we've seen single-digits," said Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan. "The trend is going down - this is the time we have to work doubly hard, or all our previous efforts may go down the drain."

She appealed to every single member of the community to work harder, to ensure that Hong Kong does contain SARS spread. "What worries me is that people might feel complacent and let down their guard," Dr Chan added.