There were no new SARS cases reported in the last 24 hours, marking the eighth day in a row without a new case.

A 68-year-old woman died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the last day. She had suffered from several underlying diseases. Her death brings the total number of SARS-related deaths to 296.

A total of 1,396 patients - nearly 80% of the total number of confirmed cases -  have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Three of them were sent home today.

Most of the 38 patients currently under active treatment in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 12 are in intensive care.

Another 25 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge. 

Suspected case undergoing tests

There is one suspected case, a person who was admitted to United Christian Hospital on June 9. None of the people with whom the person came into close contact are showing any SARS symptoms.

Polymerase Chain Reaction tests that test for the presence of the coronavirus in the patient's cells have been negative. Health workers are now testing the patient's blood for the presence of antibodies to the virus, although it may be too early for them to appear.

HK likely to be removed from infected-places list on Monday

Deputy Director of Health Dr Leung Pak-yin noted that the last confirmed SARS case was admitted to hospital on June 2, not June 3 as previously reported. If there are no new confirmed cases in the 20 days following that person's admission, Hong Kong will be removed from the WHO's list of SARS-infected places.

Dr Leung is confident that the WHO will make such an announcement on Monday. However, he noted that the suspected case is clouding the issue as it would be embarassing for Hong Kong to be removed from the list only to announce it had another confirmed case a few days later.

No early cover-up at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

In response to reporters' queries, Hospital Authority Senior Executive Manager Dr Beatrice Cheng noted that there was no cover-up of an early outbreak of SARS at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

She noted that several colleagues from the hospital suffered flu symptoms and took sick leave in early March. At that time, Hong Kong did not have a clear definition of SARS. When one of the hospital workers was admitted to the hospital on March 9, all other sick hospital workers were asked to come back for further check-ups.

When a second colleague was admitted with SARS-like symptoms on March 13, the hospital notified the Department of Health and issued a press release, Dr Cheng said.

Japanese encephalitis outbreak in Guangzhou being monitored
In reply to questions concerning the Japanese encephalitis outbreak in Guangzhou, Dr Cheng said health officials had reported 39 cases and two deaths in Meizhou, and about 200 cases for all of the province so far this year.

The peak, she says, is usually May to August, so the outbreak may have come a little earlier this year. The situation is similar to that in the past: there are sporadic cases in the countryside, especially where there are more pigs and wild birds.

Hong Kong health officials will meet with their counterparts in Guangdong Province soon to see what control measures are being taken.

Dr Leung and Dr Cheng advised Hong Kong people to take preventive measures against mosquito bites when visiting the countryside in Hong Kong or the Mainland. They include wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito repellant and avoiding pig farms.

The Port & Marine Department has a Japanese encephalitis vaccine available for people who will be in a place known to have outbreaks for more than 30 days. However, the vaccine has side effects, so it may not be good for people who have other health problems.

Anthrax source remains a mystery

Health officials still have not found the source of anthrax that killed a two-year-old earlier this month. All 160 samples they took from his home and neighbourhood have tested negative for the deadly bacteria. They have taken a few more samples that are still being tested.

Bi-weekly SARS briefings come to an end

Dr Leung thanked reporters for attending the update session, and said the bi-weekly SARS briefings are now at an end. "We hope to have some good news on June 23rd," he added.

"I understand your interest in infectious diseases after the SARS outbreak," he said. "Whenever there is some new development to report, we'll hold a press briefing."