HK Takes Steps to Prevent SARS

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 10, 2003

HK Takes Steps to Prevent SARS

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The Hong Kong health authorities are on high alert and are taking necessary preventive measures against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the light of the case of a Singapore citizen tested positive for the disease.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Yeoh Eng-kiong said the Department of Health (DH) had contacted the Ministry of Health in Singapore and the World Health Organization to learn more about the background of the case.

Yeoh noted that the Hong Kong government has enhanced health checks on in-coming travelers from Singapore at the Hong Kong International Airport, in addition to the distribution of health alert cards to remind these travelers to stay on the alert.

"Existing health screening measures, including health declaration and temperature screening at border control points, will remain in place. It is imperative that everybody, the community and the visitors alike, must be put on high alert," he said.

DH has alerted private hospitals and private medical practitioners of the Singapore incident.

In the public hospital system, Yeoh said, the Hospital Authority (HA) was in the state of readiness to prepare itself forany possible re-emergence of SARS.

He said that the government had allocated more than 400 million Hong Kong dollars (51 million US dollars) to provide 1,290 isolation beds for SARS patients in nine acute hospitals.

"In the context of the work that we are doing, I would like to assure the public that we have done all we can to better prepare ourselves for the re-emergence of SARS," said Yeoh.

He called on the public to continue with the good hygiene practices to prevent the disease.

Questions?Comments? Click here

WHO Warns of SARS Resurgence, Urges Vigilance

HK Experts Make Ground-breaking Progress in SARS Coronavirus Research

Singapore Confirms SARS Case, Quarantines 25 People

When will the Immolation between the Jews and the Arabs Come to an End? ( 19 Messages)

Powell Says US-China Ties Best Since 1972 ( 10 Messages)

RMB Should Not Be Lumped Together with US General Election: Commentary ( 26 Messages)

Taiwan Huge Rally Opposes Lee Tung-hui's Split Plan ( 3 Messages)