The two suspected SARS cases in south China's Guangdong
Province were confirmed as diagnosed SARS cases, said the
Chinese Health Ministry spokesman on Saturday.
The two patients -- a 20-year-old restaurant waitress and a
35-year-old private businessman -- were identified as suspected
SARS cases respectively on Jan. 8 and Jan. 12.
The ministry's spokesman said the two cases were confirmed after
strict verification by the reference laboratories of the World
Health Organization (WHO).
The 20-year-old waitress was discharged from hospital on
Saturday and all the people in contact with her have been removed
from medical observation without showing any abnormal symptoms, the
spokesman said.
He said the 35-year-old private businessman is in stable
condition and have had normal temperature for 11 days. So far none
of the 28 people in contact with the patient have shown any
symptoms similar to SARS and 22 were removed from medical
observation.
The ministry has informed WHO, as well as the Hong Kong and
Macao governments, of the latest developments.
The spokesman said the three diagnosed SARS cases reported in
Guangdong this year were all mild cases with low infection and the
patients recovered very soon.
"But no effort should be spared in guarding against the spread
of the disease," said he.
The ministry requested health authorities at all levels continue
to attach great importance to the preventative work, especially
during the Chinese Spring Festival holiday.
China reported three SARS diagnosed cases so far in this year,
all the three from Guangdong and two of them discharged from
hospital upon recovery.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2004)