As at 1pm, four new patients were confirmed to have SARS, marking the 17th straight day the number of new cases has remained in single digits.

A total of 1,229 patients have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 16 were sent home today.

Most of the 178 patients in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 44 are in intensive care.

Another 58 patients are recovering in convalescence in preparation for discharge.

Two patients, a man and a woman aged 81 and 51, have died. Both had a history of chronic illness. They were in Prince of Wales and Tuen Mun Hospitals respectively.

This brings to 253 the number of SARS-related deaths.

There are 16 suspected cases.

There are 647 households, made up of 1,185 people, under the home confinement programme.

2 more cases from a general ward

Hospital Authority Senior Executive Manager Dr Liu Shao-haei said two of the new cases were patients from a general ward in Tuen Mun Hospital.

It is believed they caught the virus from others in the ward who initially did not show obvious symptoms. The other 15 patients and staff from the ward are under observation.

Dr Liu said 82 students, over three years old, have been confirmed to have SARS, while one is suspected.

Good results in recovery efforts

Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan said the World Health Organisation is closely monitoring Hong Kong's progress in fighting the virus.

"All indicators show that measures in Hong Kong to control SARS are getting good results and the WHO recognises our efforts," she said, thanking the public for its co-operation in SARS prevention.

"Although the figures are at a relatively low level, we should not be off guard. The public should continue taking relevant measures to avoid contracting the disease and prevent [its] spread."