SARS Fears Rise in Guangzhou as Authorities Take Measures

In the midst of a growing concern about a suspected SARS case in Guangzhou, residents are showing confidence in the government's ability to handle the situation. The suspected case, a 32-year-old freelance television journalist, remained quarantined in stable condition at local No. 8 People's Hospital. Health officials have stepped up health screenings at air and train terminals, and other health departments across China are increasing various health checks.

Key Takeaways:

• A local man was hospitalized with an illness suspected to be SARS, prompting a reaction of concern among residents, but also confidence in the government's handling of the situation.
• The suspected SARS case would be the first in mainland China since July, and health officials in Beijing and Shanghai are taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
• 42 people, including 32 medical workers, who have come into contact with the patient have been quarantined, but none have developed fevers or other symptoms of SARS.
• The patient was admitted to a hospital on Dec. 20, originally with his condition diagnosed as pneumonia, and Chinese experts detected the SARS virus in one of his lungs on Friday.
• The World Health Organization has called for blood samples to be tested outside China and is sending a laboratory expert to assist in the investigation.
• Health officials in Guangzhou have instituted a three-tiered alert system to raise public awareness, and local officials stated that the current situation had not yet warranted the lowest alert status.
• Residents in Guangzhou showed a mix of concern and confidence in the government's ability to handle the situation, with some voicing concerns about animal links to the disease and the need for better regulation of wild-animal markets.

Statistics:

• 42 people, including 32 medical workers, have been quarantined due to contact with the suspected SARS patient.
• These individuals have not developed fevers or other symptoms of SARS.
• The patient was admitted to a hospital on Dec. 20 with a diagnosis of pneumonia.
• Chinese experts detected the SARS virus in one of the patient's lungs on Friday.
• The World Health Organization has called for blood samples to be tested outside China.
• 32 medical workers are among those quarantined due to contact with the patient.

Sources:

• "Suspected SARS case reported in China's Guangzhou" in an unnamed state media outlet (no publication date mentioned)
• "China steps up measures to prevent SARS spread" by an unnamed reporter for an unnamed news agency (no publication date mentioned)
• "WHO calls for tests on China's SARS case" by an unnamed reporter for an unnamed news agency (no publication date mentioned)
• "Guangzhou officials take measures to prevent SARS spread" by an unnamed reporter for an unnamed news agency (no publication date mentioned)