SARS Toll Soars To 235 As 17 More Die In Asia

Independent (UK) ^ | 4-23-2003 | Joe McDonald

[blam]

Sars toll soars to 235 as 17 more die in Asia

By Joe McDonald in Beijing
23 April 2003

Asia reported a further 17 deaths from severe acute respiratory syndrome yesterday as Beijing officials were told to redouble the fight against the virus and schoolchildren in Hong Kong went back to class wearing surgical masks.

Worldwide, the death toll rose to 235 and the number of infections passed 4,000. China reported 11 new Sars fatalities, Malaysia announced its second death and Hong Kong, which is worst hit, report five more deaths, pushing the toll to 99.

In Hong Kong, 200,000 children went back to school after three weeks. But pupils and teachers were told to wear surgical masks and have their temperature taken daily. Younger students were still staying at home and a few schools refused to open.

In Beijing, where 28 people have died, Liu Qi, the city's Communist Party boss, was quoted as telling officials to improve the tracing of people who might have been exposed to the respiratory illness. On Sunday, the Health Ministry declared that the capital's official number of infections had surged from 37 to 339. Ming Xenon, Beijing's mayor, and Zhang Winking, the Health Minister, were sacked.

In Canada, hundreds of people in Toronto might have been exposed to Sars by two hospital employees who ignored orders to stay at home after showing symptoms. (AP)

[blam]

I think 17 is a new daily high for deaths.

[xrp]

No, you're wrong. About 2,000 Americans die a day from heart disease, yet this doesn't make daily breaking news.

[kimoajax]

It is the trendline that is concerning.

[Steven W.]

the trendline - in the entire scope of a world filled with many, many people - is near flat to nothing, that is, after all the hype, hyperbole & foolishness is taken away.

[travelnurse]

SARS in Asia and China have a much higher mortality rate because of poor sanitation, and improper medical care. People with SARS are being refused proper medical care in China due to lack of a means to pay. SARS is also more rampant in Asia and China because if improper quarantine (if any at all)procedures.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Wow its on a roll huh, 235 people out of what 6 billion people on earth (last number I heard)...lets do the math..(235/6.0e9)*100 = 0.00000392% of the earths population.

Lets see if the media can hype it up even more...

[aristeides]

Natural for the death toll to go up at this stage of an epidemic.

[Dog Gone]

Your point would be excellent if the disease was not spreading and the mortality rate of those infected not high.

[11th_VA]

MD obviously doesn't stand for doctor, the 235 is a double the number of deaths 10 days ago. It's the growth rate we should be concerned about (I didn't say worry)

[ex-Texan]

The total number of know infected was about 100 people about 3 weeks ago. Now the number is admitted to be 4,000. What will the figure be by May 1st? I have seen the graphs and charts. My bet is that total known and admitted SARS cases will be close to 10,000. Of course, China will be hiding true cases and deaths in the meantime.

The virus is mutating and the syndrome is getting worse. Not better. There is no known immunity to the disease. The death rate is going up rapidly.

Everybody needs to "calm down" is a helpful state of mind to adopt. In the meantime, I am looking for a cabin in the woods ...

[steve86]

About 2,000 Americans die a day from heart disease, yet this doesn't make daily breaking news.

Heart disease isn't growing at the rate of SARS.

[Nov3]

Wow its on a roll huh, 235 people out of what 6 billion people on earth (last number I heard)...lets do the math..(235/6.0e9)*100 = 0.00000392% of the earths population.

Excellent analysis by government standards. I mean the numbers are only doubling every 10 - 11 days! Geometric growth rates are nothing to worry about right? We will see where this is going in a few weeks. I hope your analysis is correct. For me the jury is still out.

[MD_Willington_1976]

I don't think its really on a roll, more people die from (fill in the blank here):
A. Heart attack while constipated.
B. Frozen human waste from overhead aircraft.
C. Government intervention "Hi I'm here to help".

etc...

Personally I think this SARS crap is some kind of Bio-weapon that the CHICOMS whipped up and it accidentally got out and about..Happened with the Russians when they were dabbling in Anthrax, they finally had to tell the population OOOPS we messed up sorry, Now who's game for a spontaneous workers celebration!!!

[Nov3]

I hope you are right but at this point it looks like Bejing is about to implode.