The SARS Trust Fund has received 1,011 applications. So far, the fund's committee has approved 760 cases and rejected 120 applications.

Of the 1,011 applications received, 315 were from relatives of the deceased, 692 from recovered SARS patients, and four from "suspected" patients treated with steroids.

Of the approved cases, 244 were from relatives of the deceased and 516 were recovered/"suspected" cases. 

SARS Trust Fund committee members found that some families of deceased SARS patients and recovered patients have made steady progress over the past 12 months.

Since the establishment of the SARS Trust Fund in last November, committee members had been closely monitoring the recovered SARS patients' well being and that of family members who had lost a relative to SARS.

They have made arrangements to meet some of the patients and family members of the deceased from time to time.

SARS families' emotions stablised

Committee members observed that families who lost loved ones to SARS have moved on and are ready to face their new lives.

While some of the recovered SARS patients cannot yet resume work because of their poor health, others have continued working, and some have tried to work as much as possible and secured part-time employment.

The Government stands ready to continue to assist the recovered patients on their way to full physical  and psychological recovery, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau said.

Assistance to ascertain patients' psychological health

It is now conducting the six-monthly medical examination for recovered patients receiving assistance to ascertain their health condition.

The bureau will continue to provide welfare assistance to families of deceased SARS patients, and its social workers are ready to help.

Members of the community have also set up the Business Community Relief Fund for Victims of SARS, the We Care Education Fund and the Project Blossom to provide assistance to those in need. 

As of the end of June, about $25 million has been disbursed under these schemes.