Today marks the first day since the SARS outbreak that Hong Kong has no new cases. While the number of new cases has remained in single digits for three weeks straight, the Director of Health urges Hong Kong people to remain vigilant.

"We are glad that the figures are improving significantly. However, there may still be fluctuations before the situation stabilises," Dr Margaret Chan said. "Therefore we must stay on guard and take measures to avoid contracting the disease and prevent its spread."

A total of 1,266 patients - more than 73% of all confirmed cases - have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, 11 were sent home today.

Most of the 196 patients currently in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 40, are receiving treatment in intensive-care units.

Another 77 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge.

Two people died, including an 88-year-old man with a history of chronic illness. The other was a 35-year-old man from Amoy Garden, Block E.  This brings to 262 the number of SARS-related deaths.

There are 9 suspected cases, including one new one.

There are 477 homes, involving 1,219 people, under the home-confinement programme. No new warning letters have been issued.

Measures at border crossings to remain for a year

In the last day, two people attempting to cross the border at Lo Wu, and one person at Lok Ma Chau failed the body temperature check. They were referred to hospital where two of them remain under observation. The other has been discharged.

Dr Chan said that to boost visitors' confidence when they come to Hong Kong, we will continue with precautions at the boundary checkpoints, including health declaration forms and temperature checks, until next May even though the World Health Organisation's travel advisory has been lifted. 

"There may be a seasonality element to the virus," she said, reminding members of the press that SARS is a new illness and we are still learning about its behaviour.

Importation of civet game meat suspended

In response to a reporter's question about Civet cats - members of the weasel family that Hong Kong University researchers say may have spread the disease to people - Dr Chan noted that there were few of these creatures in the wilds of Hong Kong, and that they are night-time creatures. The chance of coming across one was slim.

She added that they are protected by law, and that since 1994, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has regulated their trade. Today, the importation of game meat derived from Civet cats had been temporarily suspended.

Credit to the community - and to media 'friends'

Asked to comment on her personal feelings about the events of the last several months, Dr Chan admitted that having the travel advisory lifted and recording no new cases was "indeed a remarkable achievement".

Having met the same reporters day after day in the briefing sessions, she felt that many of them had become friends to her.

"I'm happy to be given this opportunity to brief you, particularly today, I'm happy to be able to report to you there are zero infections, and yesterday we saw the travel advisory lifted from Hong Kong," she said.

"The kudos don't go only to the Government, the credit is also due to the members of the public and even to the media,because some of you actually went to Geneva as well as to other places to report the latest developments of this disease. And I'm sure your reports have gone a long way to alerting the public to the seriousness of this problem."

We must remain vigilant

She hoped that they would all continue their good work in disseminating important messages "because we want to achieve our next record, which is to be lifted from the list of infected places".

To do this, everyone in the community must continue to be on guard against SARS, and in particular, must maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.