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16 May 2003
There are no new probable cases, discharges or deaths reported today. The number of patients who have recovered from SARS is 157, with 19 patients still hospitalised and 7 of them in intensive care.
Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
Situation Update
There are currently 32 inpatients and 12 staff from IMH warded in TTSH for observation of fever. They are all in stable condition. The patients are from Wards 64, 65, 35 and 50B. Three more staff were discharged today, bringing the total number of staff discharges from the IMH cluster to 8. These staff were discharged as they had no fever for more than 48 hours.
So far, PCR testing for coronavirus has been negative in samples taken from 21 patients. Of 9 patients who were tested, 6 were positive for influenza B virus. As investigations are still in progress, the IMH cluster will continue to be managed as a SARS outbreak.
Telephone Lines Set Up for Patients and Public
IMH has set up these telephone lines for the public and patients to call in if they need assistance.
Outpatients who may miss their follow-up appointments as a result of the closure of the outpatients? clinic at IMH will be contacted progressively to arrange for them to collect their medicines at the Alexandra Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic along Viking Road. The clinic will be open from 8 am to 8 pm. Outpatients who have been called by IMH to collect their medicines should go to the Alexandra Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic at the appointed time.
For outpatients who require medicines in advance of their original follow-up appointments, they can call IMH at 63892119, 63892120, 63892121, or 63892122, Mon-Fri 9am -6pm and Sat 9am-1pm.
Outpatients who require non-medical assistance can call 63892000, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-12 pm.
For other general enquiries, the public may call 1800-3864541, Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm and Sat-Sun 9am-1pm
Suspect Cases
There were no new suspect cases admitted today.
One case previously admitted for observation has been re-classified as a suspect case today based on positive travel history to Taipei.
New Observation Cases
In addition to the IMH cluster, there was 1 patient admitted for observation today.
Quarantine Figures*
#Discharged patients under home quarantine:
498 (including 20 patients discharged from IMH)
Contacts under home quarantine:
305 (including 295 related to IMH cluster)
Total under home quarantine: 803
*Quarantine cases refer to those who are required to stay at home for precautionary reasons as they may have had contact with a SARS patient. These are healthy individuals.
# This is an added precautionary measure for discharged SARS patients as well as those with co-morbidities.
Summary of SARS Cases
A summary of the SARS cases to date:
Discharged 157
Hospitalised 19 (including 7 in
intensive care)
Deaths 28
Total No. of Probable Cases 205*
Total No. of Suspect Cases 2
Total No. of Observation Cases 9 + 44 from IMH
cluster
*Includes 1 case who died from non-SARs causes
Travel Advisory
MOH urges the public to heed the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s advice to postpone travel to Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangdong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Tianjin and Taipei until another time.