China, Hong Kong report more SARS deaths

The Times of India (Reuters) ^ | April 22, 2003

[EternalHope]

Mainland China reported 157 new cases on Tuesday. Are they still catching up on the previous cover-up, or is this really the number of new cases? If it is really new cases, then we are starting to see accelerating growth in the number of cases.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong reported 32 new cases, 5 deaths, and 25 released from the hospital.

For those of you who have not got it bookmarked, Freeper "per loin" has an outstanding set of tables and charts on SARS here:

The web's best SARS tables and charts

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If the PRC admits it has 235 deaths, they probably have ten times that many they won't admit to.

[Lael]

The disease is taking a huge economic toll in Asia as people shun airlines and stay at home instead of shop or dine out.

Notice that in the frantic attempt to 'hose down' Hong Kong, no one has disinfected exported goods.

Quarintine and DESTROY ALL manufactured goods from ASIA!!!

[EternalHope]

It is essentially impossible for the virus to survive long enough outside the body to still be contagious by the time goods manufactured in China get to the United States.

However, if the virus gets bad enough, there may not be many manufactured goods in China to export anyway.

[dark_lord]

Just to speculate -- I wonder if different ethnic groups will have different bio-responses to exposure to this mutated coronavirus? Because as I recall from history, the American Indians had a much more negative response to the common cold (which is a coronavirus) than the Europeans did.

[Krafty123]

Really? I thought virii could survive 10000+ years as well as in space.

[ChemistCat]

Yup, centralized control of society and economy makes responding to crisis so efficient.

[aristeides]

I think exposing imports to radiation should kill any viruses.

[EternalHope]

Really? I thought virii could survive 10000+ years as well as in space.

The typical common cold virus lasts from 2 to 4 hours when exposed to air outside the body. Some viruses may be as hardy as you describe (don't know), but nothing I have seen puts SARS in that category.

I suspect you are thinking of the bugs that form extremely hardy spores. So far, nothing has indicated that SARS forms spores.

[CathyRyan]

You've got mail :)

[DeuceTraveler]

"If the PRC admits it has 235 deaths, they probably have ten times that many they won't admit to."

That's what I'm thinking, too.

[riri]

You may find this interesting.

My husband is a controller for a mid size public company. They have subsidaries in Singapore and Japan. They have just begun outsourcing some products to China and trying to break into the Chinese market.

Well, yesterday he had a meeting probably regarding earnings, I am not entirely sure of the content. My husband said just about every slide contained something about SARS.

So, the topic turned to SARS and one of the head honcho guys who travels to Asia frequently said he had been ill when he last returned (over a month ago) and he was concerned because he never gets sick. I guess it was not SARS cause he is still kicking and he's an old fart. But he kept this all to himself.

Then the general consensus was, "Well we can't stop sending peple to China forever, eventually someone has got to go"...

No earth shattering news here, I just thought it was interesting to note.

[EternalHope]

Then the general consensus was, "Well we can't stop sending peple to China forever, eventually someone has got to go"...

Hmmm...

Volunteers?

[ChemistCat]

SARS doesn't kill everyone who has it. Also, it seems to be deadliest for people in their prime, if what I'm reading is correct. I'm glad your husband's coworker is okay.

I wonder how many people get a mild enough case that they can spread it, but never seek medical attention themselves?

Whatever. Humankind has epidemics of flu-like diseases on a regular basis, and we're long overdue.

(Don't COUGH on me! she says. Stay home if you're sick! Sheesh!)

[blam]

"Just to speculate -- I wonder if different ethnic groups will have different bio-responses to exposure to this mutated coronavirus? "

I've wondered the same thing.

[flutters]

"quite a challenge to contain SARS" .... "I think we're going for a very big outbreak" ....A SARS epidemic could spread "before we know it" .... "the consequences could be too dreadful to contemplate"

I think it's already out of control. I feel for the people. I bet they will run and spread it even further. I can't say I'd blame them. I would probably do the same, especially if I had young kids.

[blam]

"The typical common cold virus lasts from 2 to 4 hours when exposed to air outside the body. Some viruses may be as hardy as you describe (don't know), but nothing I have seen puts SARS in that category."

Didn't we have a article a day or so ago about SARS still being contagious after sitting on a surface for 24+ hours? I think so.

[riri]

Volunteers? Oh, they'll go. Never underestimate the ability of the American people to think nothing bad could ever really happen to them.

[EternalHope]

Yes. But not for long enough to survive a trip from China on a ship.

[flutters]

I wonder how many people get a mild enough case that they can spread it, but never seek medical attention themselves?

I bet that is happening. I know I can't get my husband to the doctor unless it's something major. I imagine a lot of people are like that.

Whats bothers me even more are the people that know and work in a medical environment but still turns their back to precaution. Such as the nurse in Canada that had a fever and other SARS symptoms and still got on a train.