There was a single new SARS case reported in the last 24 hours, marking the 37th day in a row the number of new cases has remained in single digits.

The new case is that of a 68-year-old female Northern District Hospital patient.

A total of 1,365 patients - nearly 78% of the total number of confirmed cases -  have recovered and been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, one was sent home today.

There was one fatality, a 34-year-old man at Tseung Kwan O Hospital, bringing the total number of SARS-related deaths to 288.

Most of the 66 patients currently under active treatment in hospital are responding positively to the new treatment protocol. Of them, 19 are in intensive care.

Another 34 patients are recovering in convalescence, in preparation for discharge. There are four suspected cases.

Meanwhile, temperature checks for all passengers at the airport, ports and border points found that five passengers were screened out yesterday.

After undergoing further medical checks, three were cleared of SARS symptoms and continued their journey and two others were referred to hospitals for observation.

There are 1,262 people from 493 families under home-confinement orders.

Deputy Director of Health Dr Leung Pak-yin said the source infection of an elderly lady living in Choi Wan Estate is still being traced. Her relatives, who are under home-confinement, have shown no symptoms of SARS so far.

Dr Leung said although SARS cases have remained in single digits for the past month, he urged people not to let down their guard against the virus.

We should not be complacent and allow the virus any opportunity to break out again in the community, he added.

Dr Leung said his department has issued guidelines on SARS prevention to elderly homes.

So far, there are 11 people working in elderly homes confirmed to have contracted the disease. Two died and others have been discharged.

Dr Leung said, of the two deaths, one is a resident of Amoy Garden believed to have contracted the disease in the community, adding that there was no new case of infection in elderly homes since early May.

Dr Leung said he is concerned about reports of an outbreak of human monkeypox infection in the United States.

He said the disease is associated with contact with ill prairie dogs, which are not allowed to be imported to Hong Kong.

He urged the public to observe good personal and environmental hygiene, and watch for any sickness in their pets.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department added that there has been no report of monkeypox infection in humans and animals in Hong Kong, but the public should remain vigilant.

All mammals imported to Hong Kong require a permit from the department, and no prairie dogs have ever been permitted to be imported into Hong Kong.

There is no cause for alarm as no monkeypox infection in humans and animals has ever been identified in Hong Kong.

The department is seeking clarification with the US authorities on their measures to prevent the disease.

Meanwhile, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau has denied a report that the Government is considering converting Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution into a temporary infectious disease hospital for treating SARS patients.

It said both the Government and the Hospital Authority have never considered or studied the idea.

It said a working group comprising representatives from Government departments and the Hospital Authority has been tasked to explore options to increase isolation facilities in the public hospital system to better contain the spread of infectious disease.