There were two new cases of SARS reported in the last 24 hours.

A total of 1,350 patients have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, seven were sent home today.

There were two fatalities, bringing the total number of SARS-related deaths to 286. The victims were women aged 59 and 90, both with a history of chronic illness. They were in Queen Elizabeth and Wong Tai Sin Hospitals, respectively.

Most of the 71 patients now in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 23 are in intensive care.

Another 43 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge. There are eight suspected cases.

There are 1,254 people from 491 families under home-confinement orders.

Hospital Authority Senior Executive Manager Dr Liu Shao-haei, said the new cases involved two women, aged 68 and 78.

The 78-year-old had been in hospital for a long time and contracted the virus from another patient.

The 68-year-old was admitted to hospital with SARS symptoms and was in a serious condition. She was sent to the intensive-care ward.

Dr Liu said her source of infection was still being traced, but no relatives had so far shown symptoms.

Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan said: "We are looking for further evidence that this may be a case arising from the community."

Dr Chan said that as the outbreak had entered a new, controlled stage, daily press conferences will be stopped.

Briefings will instead be held on Mondays and Thursdays. However, the latest figures and developments will continue to be issued daily via press releases. The move is effective immediately.