The fatality rate of Hong Kong's SARS patients is similar to levels elsewhere, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says.

Speaking in the Legislative Council today, Dr Yeoh said:

"The case fatality rate of SARS patients in Hong Kong is at least [on] par with levels achieved in other places. In Hong Kong, 70% of deaths are associated with co-morbidity and [those] aged above 65."

Co-morbidity refers to patients who have certain chronic illnesses co-existing with SARS. Dr Yeoh said these patients also had a 10.9-fold risk of mortality as compared to those without co-existing chronic illnesses.

He said all SARS patients in public hospitals were treated with Western medicine. The Hospital Authority drew up protocols on the use of Chinese medicine in conjunction with Western medicine to provide another treatment option for SARS patients.

So far, 51 patients at the acute phase and 76 patients in convalescence have been treated with an integrated Western/Chinese medicine approach.

He said the authority has also arranged the use of prophylaxis Chinese medicines for its frontline staff.

Dr Yeoh said the authority has structured a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of integrated Western and Chinese medicine, and in the management of convalescent SARS patients as well as in the management of acute SARS patients.

Preliminary findings should be available in two to three months.

Meanwhile, Dr Yeoh said all the personal protective equipment supplies donated by the Central People's Government have been fully consumed.