Tackling atypical pneumonia is the most important task of the Government and the community at large, the Chief Executive said before unveiling several initiatives aimed at winning back the world's faith in Hong Kong's ability to prevent the disease's spread.

"We wish to tell our overseas friends loud and clear that Hong Kong has a sound detection system and they don't have to be concerned that people from Hong Kong will spread the disease to their countries," Tung Chee Hwa said at a press conference this evening.

To that end, the Administration is discussing with airlines ways to take the temperature of all people leaving Hong Kong by plane, and to prevent those with high fevers from boarding.

Beginning on Monday, April 14, anyone under household quarantine for having had close contact with someone confirmed to have the virus will be prevented from leaving Hong Kong.

Mr Tung also expressed deep concern at the growing number of healthcare workers who have been infected.

"I have asked Dr Yeoh (Eng-kiong, the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food) to reduce the cases to the lowest possible number in the shortest period of time."

Today, another 11 healthcare workers (five from Princess Margaret Hospital, two from Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, one from North District Hospital and one from Hong Kong Baptist Hospital)  joined the ranks of those confirmed as having atypical pneumonia.

As of 1 pm today, 264 healthcare workers have been infected - 25% of the total number of cases.

Mr Tung reiterated that those who have had close contact with a confirmed atypical pneumonia patient must be subject to household isolation for 10 days.

"I appeal to those who are affected for their understanding," he said, adding, "I hope that every member of the community will treat patients and members of their families sensibly and with understanding."

April 19th clean-up day

The best way to tackle the spread of the disease is to pay attention to public and personal hygiene, Mr Tung stressed, adding that April 19th has been designated a territory-wide clean-up day.

"The community cleaning day will launch a long-term campaign to turn Hong Kong into a truly clean city,  to safeguard the health of the public."

Other Hong Kong groups will also stage clean-up campaigns over the coming Easter holidays to show their support of these efforts.

Cross-boundary co-operation stepped up

Hong Kong and Guangdong authorities met today to exchange data, discuss a reporting system and set up an expert group.

Deputy Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan and Hospital Authority Senior Executive Manager Dr Liu Shao Haei fielded questions from the media after Mr Tung's address.

The Administration is still speaking with the Police and the airlines the best way to take passengers' temperature and how to enforce this procedure, Dr Lam said. He added that details would be made available as soon as they were known.

Body temperature is a sensitive screening measure, he added. If someone does have a high fever, they won't be preventing from boarding based on that alone. "He will see a doctor, to see if there are other symptoms, and we might even take a chest X-ray."

'All patients to be considered potential virus cases'

In response to concerns about the growing number of medical workers who are falling ill with the disease, Dr Liu stressed that all hospitals have been advised to tell their staff that "all patients must be considered potential atypical pneumonia patients".

Already, the Hospital Authority has done much work educating healthcare workers and reminding them to be mindful and pay attention to details, he added.

It has also ordered more than 100 respirators, and has stocked up on face masks, protective clothing and gloves.

"We've got sufficient supply. A hospital can call us up and we can provide them immediately," Dr Liu said.

"No matter how well you equip yourself, you will still have infections," he said. "We are better equipped to prevent the spread of disease, but it isn't watertight."

Princess Margaret Hospital has about 300 atypical pneumonia patients, Dr Liu said. To ease the pressure, other major hospitals will also accept infected patients.