Four new cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) confirmed in Hong Kong Monday, involving a healthcare worker of North District hospital, said the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.
The number of patients recovered and discharged from hospital continues to rise to 1319. Of them, one was discharged Monday.
The number of SARS patients in intensive care unit continues to drop to 25. These cases are part of the 86 cases under treatment in hospitals. Most of the patients are showing positive responses to the treatment protocol.
The officials also reported on Monday the death of a 30-year-old front-line doctor.
Dr Cheng Ha-yan of Tai Po Hospital contracted the disease while taking care of a SARS patient and died late Sunday night, becoming the eighth healthcare workers killed by SARS.
Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa expressed his deepest regret at the death of Dr Cheng. "She has demonstrated the highest level of dedication, devotion and profession in looking after patients. I join the community to extend our deepest condolences to her family," he said.
The Faculty of Medicine of Hong Kong University also expressed sincere condolences over the death of Dr Cheng, who graduated from the faculty in 1997. One of her classmates, Dr Li, said, "We are very proud of her exceptional act of bravery."
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)
