Possible cases up by 23, deaths up by 5
The domestic SARS outbreak seems to be showing signs of a major explosion. The latest notification data released today by the CDC shows that both the number of deaths and the number of probable cases in Taiwan set new records for the largest single-day increase. Deaths rose from 13 yesterday to 18, and probable cases jumped by 23 compared with yesterday.
In addition, Ma Ying-jeou said that three employees at Jian'an Clinic on Wanda Road in Taipei City were suspected of being infected with SARS last night. He called on people who visited that clinic for treatment between May 2 and May 9 to remain in home quarantine.
What deserves attention is that the female cashier at SOGO Department Store has already been classified by the CDC as a probable case. As for the Jianguo High School student, because the symptoms are still not obvious, the CDC has classified him as a case pending review, not a probable case.
According to the latest notification data from the CDC today, the number of reported domestic cases has also increased sharply, from 1013 yesterday to 1061. Probable cases rose from 149 to 172, while excluded cases increased from 157 to 167.
The CDC said the notification figures have risen rapidly because testing time has been shortened. In the past it might take several days to determine whether a patient was a probable case; now the result can be obtained in less than a day.
Of the 23 newly added probable cases, most are related to Renji and Heping Hospitals. However, what the CDC finds difficult is that for the deceased noodle-stall owner, they still have not been able to identify the contact history or source of infection, making people suspect that this may be a major sign of community transmission.
Of these five additional deaths, besides the 49-year-old noodle-stall owner from Xinzhuang City, Taipei County, they also include one Renji patient (a 25-year-old woman), and three Heping Hospital patients: a 60-year-old woman, a 74-year-old man, and a 52-year-old man.
In response to complaints from Taiwan health authorities, David Heymann, Executive Director of the Communicable Diseases cluster of the World Health Organization (WHO), declined to respond directly today. He only stressed that everything in combating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) should return to the technical level. He also assured that as long as Taiwan makes a request, WHO will provide all technical assistance.
He said that if Taiwan says it needs more WHO expert support, "we'll send more people."
WHO sent two experts to Taiwan on the 3rd to assist in SARS prevention, but according to Taiwan media reports, Department of Health Minister Twu Shiing-jer and CDC Director-General Chen Chien-jen had both expressed dissatisfaction with WHO's delay in providing assistance. Twu Shiing-jer also said that WHO's help was too little and too slow.
The domestic SARS outbreak seems to be showing signs of a major explosion. The latest notification data released today by the CDC shows that both the number of deaths and the number of probable cases in Taiwan set new records for the largest single-day increase. Deaths rose from 13 yesterday to 18, and probable cases jumped by 23 compared with yesterday.
In addition, Ma Ying-jeou said that three employees at Jian'an Clinic on Wanda Road in Taipei City were suspected of being infected with SARS last night. He called on people who visited that clinic for treatment between May 2 and May 9 to remain in home quarantine.
What deserves attention is that the female cashier at SOGO Department Store has already been classified by the CDC as a probable case. As for the Jianguo High School student, because the symptoms are still not obvious, the CDC has classified him as a case pending review, not a probable case.
According to the latest notification data from the CDC today, the number of reported domestic cases has also increased sharply, from 1013 yesterday to 1061. Probable cases rose from 149 to 172, while excluded cases increased from 157 to 167.
The CDC said the notification figures have risen rapidly because testing time has been shortened. In the past it might take several days to determine whether a patient was a probable case; now the result can be obtained in less than a day.
Of the 23 newly added probable cases, most are related to Renji and Heping Hospitals. However, what the CDC finds difficult is that for the deceased noodle-stall owner, they still have not been able to identify the contact history or source of infection, making people suspect that this may be a major sign of community transmission.
Of these five additional deaths, besides the 49-year-old noodle-stall owner from Xinzhuang City, Taipei County, they also include one Renji patient (a 25-year-old woman), and three Heping Hospital patients: a 60-year-old woman, a 74-year-old man, and a 52-year-old man.
In response to complaints from Taiwan health authorities, David Heymann, Executive Director of the Communicable Diseases cluster of the World Health Organization (WHO), declined to respond directly today. He only stressed that everything in combating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) should return to the technical level. He also assured that as long as Taiwan makes a request, WHO will provide all technical assistance.
He said that if Taiwan says it needs more WHO expert support, "we'll send more people."
WHO sent two experts to Taiwan on the 3rd to assist in SARS prevention, but according to Taiwan media reports, Department of Health Minister Twu Shiing-jer and CDC Director-General Chen Chien-jen had both expressed dissatisfaction with WHO's delay in providing assistance. Twu Shiing-jer also said that WHO's help was too little and too slow.
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