Daily Deaths Outpace Infections in Hong Kong
Drop in SARS Infections Still Not Enough for WHO

May 7, 2003

HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong government said on Wednesday the SARS virus had killed 11 more people in the territory and infected another eight, the first time daily fatalities exceeded infections.

The number of new cases was below 10 for the fourth straight day, but not enough to meet criteria set by the World Health Organization for lifting its travel warning against Hong Kong, the worst SARS-hit area in the world outside of mainland China.

On April 2, the World Health Organization issued an advisory against non-essential visits to Hong Kong, dealing a crushing blow to the city's already fragile economy.

Hong Kong says WHO will consider lifting the warning when new daily infections fall below five for three consecutive days and the number of active cases drops to 60 or less. Government figures show 377 active SARS cases.

The latest figures took the cumulative cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome to 1,654 in Hong Kong and the death toll to 204, a health official told a news conference.

The flu-like disease, thought to have originated in southern China, hit Hong Kong in March and has been spread around the world by travelers .

While about one-fifth of the Hong Kong cases have been healthcare workers, no new medical staff infections were reported on Wednesday.

Hong Kong bestowed the highest official funeral honors

on Wednesday for the first hospital worker to die of SARS here.

Draped in the red and white flag of Hong Kong, the coffin of Lau Wing-kai,a 38-year-old male nurse, arrived at a cemetery dedicated to public servants who die in the line of duty.

Grieving families, friends and colleagues laid white roses on the coffin to pay their last respects. Some broke down in tears while others stood silently still as a Taoist priest carried out ceremonial rituals to complete the burial service.

WHO's top contagious diseases officer, Dr. David Heymann, called the efforts taken in Hong Kong "heroic." He told Hong Kong officials in video teleconference Tuesday: "All of us have nothing but admiration for you and your team."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25265-2003May7.html