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As at 21 Mar 2003, a total of 39 people with SARS have been reported to the Ministry of Health. The 5 additional patients reported today comprise 4 hospital staff and 1 close contact of a patient. Three patients have been discharged from hospital. The other 36 patients are still in hospital. All the patients are stable except for 7 patients who are in a serious condition.

To date, apart from the 3 initial people who had travelled to Hong Kong, a total of 19 family and friends of cases, and 17 hospital staff have been diagnosed with SARS. So far, all the cases of SARS have been linked to the initial 3 cases. No new index cases have been reported. In addition, no further cases have occurred among hospital staff as a result of infection from known or suspected cases of SARS after the implementation of enhanced infection control precautions.

Schools and preschool facilities will reopen on 24 Mar 2003. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have assessed that there is no need to extend the school break. The spread of SARS is still confined to family and friends, and hospital staff who have had close contacts with infected patients. As an added precautionary measure, the children of contacts of known cases will be asked to stay away from school for another week. This is to prevent any community spread. MOH is also working closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community Development and Sports to step up vigilance in schools, preschools and child care centres. Children who have fever will be asked to seek medical attention and to return to school only when they are well.

MOH would like to appeal to all parents whose children have been to Hong Kong, Guangdong province in China, or Hanoi to closely monitor their children. They should not be sent to school if they have fever and should be seen by a doctor immediately. All schools and preschools have been advised through the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Community Development and Sports to look out for children who are unwell with fever and have been to the affected areas. Such children will be immediately isolated and their parents contacted to bring them to seek medical attention.