Additional 22 patients were confirmed to have severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) following admission to public hospitals earlier, according to a new release jointly issued by the Hong Kong's Department of Health and the Hospital Authority Friday.

They include four healthcare workers and the remaining 18 are other people who had contacts with SARS patients.

So far, a total of 614 patients have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from public hospitals.

Of them, 47 were discharged Friday. There are also 126 recovering patients who are in convalescence and preparation for discharge.

Most of the patients currently in hospital are showing positive responses to the new treatment protocol. 105 patients are receiving treatment in intensive care units.

Meanwhile, six patients have died, bringing to 115 the total number of SARS related death so far. The deceased are aged from 35 to 96.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2003)