For the first time since SARS broke out in this capital city, Beijing reported no new SARS cases in the period from 10:00 a.m. June 1 to 10:00 a.m. June 2.
Given the fact that on May 29 no new SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) patients were admitted to Beijing hospitals, Liang Wannian, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Health has concluded that the SARS epidemic situation in Beijing is basically under control. This demonstrates that the protective measures implemented in Beijing are paying off.
Liang said Beijing now has two objectives: the first is having the World Health Organization's (WHO) travel advisory lifted, and the second is having the WHO declare that Beijing is SARS-free.
Liang predicts that the first objective may be reached in approximately 15-20 days, and the second between the end of June and mid-July.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)
