X-Message-Number: 21485
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 13:03:04 -0500 (EST)
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: Bad SARS numbers

Today's SARS increase reported by W.H.O. is very disturbing. Globally and
in Hong Kong, the number of new cases reported on 3/27 is TWICE the
average daily number of new cases reported from 3/21 through 3/25.
(Source: W.H.O. web page.) In other words, we now see the first instance
of doubling of new cases, and the doubling has occurred within a 2-day
period.

I would like to think that this could be attributable to better reporting,
since hospital staff are now more alert for the SARS symptoms. On the
other hand if hospital staff are more alert, they should also be taking
more precautions. I wonder if SARS is now escaping into the general
population, and we have a last chance to contain it at this time. As usual
this would involve draconian measures which most nations would find
unacceptable (e.g. quarantine, physical examination of all air travelers).

--CP

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