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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Some School Districts in Beijing Halted Classes

One large school district effectively halted classes, saying students could voluntarily stay home until May 5 and that remaining classes would only review previously taught materials.


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One large school district effectively halted classes, saying students could voluntarily stay home until May 5 and that remaining classes would only review previously taught materials.

With reported SARS cases in Beijing taking sharp jumps over the last several days, fear seemed to have gripped a lot of people in the city.

Some parents have kept their children home from school. On Tuesday at least one large school district effectively halted classes, saying that students could voluntarily stay home until May 5 and that remaining classes would only review previously taught materials.

Officials in the Haidian district of northwest Beijing told reporters that schools had not been closed but that attendance was now voluntary. Students could study at home and new materials would not be taught at the schools.

At the same time, restaurants and shopping centers see sharp drops in customers. Sales are booming of herbal teas and other traditional medicines, while more and more bus and subway riders put on protective masks.

But the official Xinhua has made it clear in its reports that the sudden increase in official figures did not reflect a major surge in illness but the confirmation of suspected cases after further examination. The number of patients in the city labeled as suspect cases has risen due to improved surveillance and reporting efforts.

Across the country, however, the situation is still severe, calling for quick and decisive measures. SARS was first detected in Guangdong Province. Apart from Guangdong and Beijing, a few cases have now been reported in 14 other provinces or municipalities, including far-flung regions that have poor health facilities and are not equipped to identify and isolate patients or give them good care.

This has raised the possibility of an epidemic in small towns and rural areas where it will be harder to contain.


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