Two SARS cases confirmed, one in critical condition

Two suspected SARS patients in Beijing were diagnosed as SARS patients and one is in critical condition, China's Health Ministry said Thursday in Beijing.

The two patients, with surnames of Li and Teng, are the aunt and mother of Beijing's first diagnosed SARS patient, the ministry said in its daily surveillance report on SARS.

At present, Li is in critical condition but Teng's condition remains relatively stable, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the two patients' blood samples were tested IgG and IgM positive on Wednesday afternoon. Based on their clinical symptoms, epidemiological history and the laboratory test results, experts diagnosed them as SARS patients.

The ministry said Beijing's first SARS patient Li is currently in stable condition and has had normal body temperature for 13 straight days.

The other four suspected SARS patients in Beijing are still isolated and receiving medical treatment at the Ditan hospital. Among all the people in close contact with the reported patients, 22 have been removed from medical observation.

The ministry said the 26-year-old Anhui diagnosed patient Song is recovering and has had normal body temperature for six consecutive days. Among the people in close contact with her, 39 have been freed from medical observation.

So far, the health ministry reported four diagnosed and five suspected SARS case on the Chinese mainland, including one suspected patient who died on April 19 in Anhui.