IrishGold
03-30-2003, 10:13 PM
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eastasia/view/36185/1/.html
Taiwan Premier Yu Shyi-kun says Taipei is weighing a proposal for the temporary shutdown of direct "mini links" with China.
His remarks came two days after Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian blamed China for hastening the spread of the killer Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS.
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He accused Beijing of trying to cover up the extent of the outbreak within its borders.
All "direct links" -- commercial, transport and postal services -- between Taiwan and China were cut since they split in 1949.
Meanwhile many worried Hong Kong residents spent Sunday indoors as the government continues efforts to disinfect the city.
A huge surge in cases of the killer pneumonia on one housing estate in Hong Kong has heightened fears in the densely populated territory.
Amoy Gardens, in urban Kowloon, saw the number of its residents infected soar from seven in mid-week to 85 on Saturday.
Hong Kong's Director of Health has said the government would not rule out that the SARS virus might be airborne.
An airborne virus spreads more quickly than one carried by droplets.
For weeks, government officials have said the virus is passed through droplets, such as in sneezing or coughing.
Clearly out to combat it, authorities are continuing with an intensive two-day operation to disinfect streets and public facilities.
Many in Hong Kong are now trying to relieve their sense of panic, by praying for a swift end to the outbreak.
Twelve people have already died and nearly 500 are infected.
Authorities were also urgently tracing over 200 passengers and crew members from last Wednesday's Dragonair flight from Beijing.
This comes after one traveller was found to have contracted SARS.
The highly virulent illness has affected close to 1,500 people worldwide
At last count, the global death toll has reached 56, and the figure is likely to rise.
Taiwan Premier Yu Shyi-kun says Taipei is weighing a proposal for the temporary shutdown of direct "mini links" with China.
His remarks came two days after Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian blamed China for hastening the spread of the killer Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS.
Advertisement
He accused Beijing of trying to cover up the extent of the outbreak within its borders.
All "direct links" -- commercial, transport and postal services -- between Taiwan and China were cut since they split in 1949.
Meanwhile many worried Hong Kong residents spent Sunday indoors as the government continues efforts to disinfect the city.
A huge surge in cases of the killer pneumonia on one housing estate in Hong Kong has heightened fears in the densely populated territory.
Amoy Gardens, in urban Kowloon, saw the number of its residents infected soar from seven in mid-week to 85 on Saturday.
Hong Kong's Director of Health has said the government would not rule out that the SARS virus might be airborne.
An airborne virus spreads more quickly than one carried by droplets.
For weeks, government officials have said the virus is passed through droplets, such as in sneezing or coughing.
Clearly out to combat it, authorities are continuing with an intensive two-day operation to disinfect streets and public facilities.
Many in Hong Kong are now trying to relieve their sense of panic, by praying for a swift end to the outbreak.
Twelve people have already died and nearly 500 are infected.
Authorities were also urgently tracing over 200 passengers and crew members from last Wednesday's Dragonair flight from Beijing.
This comes after one traveller was found to have contracted SARS.
The highly virulent illness has affected close to 1,500 people worldwide
At last count, the global death toll has reached 56, and the figure is likely to rise.