From: Grant Callaghan (grantc4@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri 11 Apr 2003 - 14:07:52 GMT
Here are some headines and summaries that might provide some insight on how
the SARS problem is being handled in Hongkong. Keep in mind that HK is a
couple of decades ahead of the mainland in handling such things. The
mainland authorities usually go into denial first and trying to solve the
problem only when it becomes too large to ignore.
Friday, April 11, 2003
Home isolation' ordered
The Hong Kong government yesterday ordered the virtual house arrest of 150
family members of infected Sars patients. The number of cases in the city
reached two shy of 1,000 and three more people died in the five-week-old
outbreak. (Full Story)
Shenzhen teacher had been in HK
The American teacher from Shenzhen who died two days ago in Hong Kong of
atypical pneumonia during an emergency cross-border transfer is believed to
have visited the Metropole Hotel - "ground zero" in the severe acute
respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak. (Full Story)
Mainland officials deny hiding the true figures
Mainland health officials yesterday denied allegations that they have not
fully disclosed statistics on the full extent of the atypical pneumonia
crisis on the mainland.
Medics study use of Chinese medicine to treat Sars
Medics are to look at whether traditional Chinese medicine can be used to
help contain the atypical pneumonia outbreak.
Legal snag delays Sars list
A government plan to list all Hong Kong buildings with residents infected
with Sars was held up by legal problems last night, the South China Morning
Post has learned.
The data they didn't want to release
The decision to release details of where Sars cases are emerging around Hong
Kong follows repeated refusals by health officials to give breakdowns of its
figures.
Sewage link to virus is confirmed
The virus that causes atypical pneumonia has been found in basins and
toilets in Block E of Amoy Gardens, convincing investigators that the
building's clogged sewerage system is the main reason for the virus' rapid
spread.
He lost his father to Sars. Now Mickey, 6, is quarantined alone
teacher James Salisbury has left four young children without a father and
piled another tragedy on the shoulders of his widow in the United States.
Infected HK air traveller sparks global search for passengers
A global search has been launched for passengers who shared any of the seven
European flights two weeks ago with a Hong Kong businessman who turned out
to be carrying the Sars virus.
Tough times require tough measures, says health minister
Health minister Yeoh Eng-kiong was keeping his fingers crossed as he
announced tougher measures to help contain the spread of atypical pneumonia.
Worries over pneumonia lead economists to cut forecasts
Hong Kong's economy will grow 2.2 per cent in the second quarter, according
to a forecast released yesterday by the Better Hong Kong Foundation, a
business-oriented think-tank. But the group said it had to lower its
forecast by nearly a third, from 3 per cent, for the April to June period
because of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).
Fleeing residents spread the virus
Amoy Gardens residents were yesterday blamed for spreading Sars to seven
people on the mainland by crossing the border after the initial outbreak at
the Kowloon housing estate.
30 infected at public estate
Thirty people on a Kowloon Bay housing estate near the infected Amoy Gardens
complex have been struck down by Sars, sparking fears of a second outbreak
similar to that which led to the quarantining of an entire apartment block.
Cockroaches join cats and rats on Block E's line-up of suspects
First it was rats. Then a pet cat was in the frame. Now cockroaches are
suspected of spreading the Sars virus.
China defends its handling of the crisis
China yesterday defended its handling of the Sars crisis, saying it had
acted "responsibly".
Malaysia bans visas for mainlanders as toll rises
Malaysia has become the first country to stop issuing visas to mainland
travellers in response to the atypical pneumonia outbreak.
Pneumonia prompts developers to cut rents
Major property developers in Hong Kong are poised to grant rent reductions
of up to 40 per cent to commercial tenants whose businesses have been
severely hit by the atypical pneumonia outbreak.
Intensive-care death rate may soar, warns expert
Up to four out of 10 Sars patients admitted to intensive-care wards could
die if Hong Kong's hospitals continue to fill with victims of the virus, a
leading doctor warned yesterday.
No paid leave for medics over 13 weeks pregnant
Medical staff more than 13 weeks pregnant will not be granted paid leave
despite the risk of becoming infected with atypical pneumonia.
Hospitals planning for 3,000 Sars cases
Hong Kong hospitals are preparing for a worst-case scenario under which they
will be filled with 3,000 atypical pneumonia patients by the end of this
month.
Untreated patients escalating virus risk
Patients who have shown mild Sars symptoms but not been treated could still
spread the virus and extend the outbreak even further, doctors warned
yesterday.
Grant
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