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 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=21485