A total of 45 SARS patients recovered and discharged from hospital in Hong Kong on Thursday, according to a press release jointly issued by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong.

In another direction, there is an additional 30 patients confirmed to contract SARS following admission to public hospitals earlier. They include three healthcare workers, two of them working in private hospitals.

A total of 567 patients have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from public hospitals. There are also 135 recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. One hundred and eight patients are receiving treatment in intensive care unit.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2003)