As at 3pm today, 40 new patients with atypical pneumonia symptoms were admitted to public hospitals. A total of 229 patients - almost 20% of the total number of cases - have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, six were sent home today, including the Hospital Authority's Chief Executive.

The new patients include four healthcare workers (two from Kwong Wah Hospital, one from Prince of Wales Hospital and one from Shatin Hospital) and five patients from Amoy Gardens. The remaining 31 were new patients and contacts of patients with atypical pneumonia.

More than a quarter of the total number of cases - 321 - are from Amoy Gardens. Healthcare workers represents about a quarter of the total, also.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol, a combination of the anti-viral drug Ribavirin and steroids.

Of the 914 patients still in hospital, 124 - less than 14% - are receiving treatment in the intensive-care unit.

Seven patients died in hospitals last night and this morning. Two women with a history of chronic disease, aged 74 and 67, died in Kwong Wah Hospital. Two men, aged 49 and 78, died in Princess Margaret Hospital.

A 69-year-old woman and a 74-year-old man with a history of chronic disease died in Prince of Wales Hospital. Another 95-year-old woman with a history of chronic disease died in United Christian Hospital.

Their deaths bring to 47 the total number of deaths relating to atypical pneumonia. This represents a mortality rate of 3.9%.

Treatment regime has high success rate

Noting the concern that several younger patients who were not suffering from underlying illnesses had succumbed to the disease in recent days, the Hospital Authority's Acting Chief Executive noted that doctors were trying their utmost to save patients from the illness.

"But no treatment is 100% foolproof, and of course, it upsets us that some recent deaths were those not suffering from underlying illnesses and were of a younger age," Dr Ko Wing-man said.

He stressed, though, that the current treatment regime, a combination of Ribavirin and steroids, is the best known method, with an 80% or higher success rate.

No plans to change visiting rules

In reply to media queries, Dr Ko stressed that there would be no change in rules to allow family members to visit patients who are in intensive care. "We cannot allow for visitation because the ban on visitation is conducive to the prevention of the further spread of the disease," he said

"This is something that we wouldn't have implemented unless it had been absolutely necessary."

Recently, however, the Hospital Authority had begun to allow patients more freedom to use their mobile phones to stay in touch with family and friends.

Authority's CEO on the mend

Meanwhile, Dr Ko noted that the Hospital Authority's Chief Executive, Dr William Ho, was among the six atypical pneumonia patients who were sent home today. He had been admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on March 23.

He will stay at home during the rehabilitation process, and participate in co-ordinating public hospital services through videoconferencing.

In a statement, Dr Ho expressed his thanks for the community's care and concern. He also sent high regards to the frontline workers in hospitals "who serve the patients relentlessly".

Dr Ko noted that no patients were confirmed to have caught the disease from Dr Ho. He added that Dr Ho would return to his post in about a week.

A report from the Atypical Pneumonia Expert Working Group is expected to be released in the next few days.