Beijing residents who observe symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in family members, friends or in themselves are being urged to dial "120" directly to request a special ambulance.
As of Sunday, the Beijing municipal government launched more "120" emergency medical service hotlines as part of its efforts to contain SARS.
The following are three symptoms of SARS to watch out for:
First, fever above 38 degrees Celsius accompanied by headache, aching joints, aching pain throughout the body;
Second, dry cough with reduced phlegm, occasionally blood-tinged phlegm, accelerated respiration, shortness of breath, and respiratory distress;
Third, no obvious results from antibiotic medicines.
According to Tang Qi, an official with the Beijing First Aid Center, in the past, suspected patients were reported first to the Municipal Disease Control Center and then to the Municipal Health Bureau.
Only when the confirmation was complete would the Health Bureauinform the First Aid Center to help the patient. Enditem
(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2003)
