SARS suspect caught after HK hospital breakout

A 55-year-old man suspected of being infected with the SARS virus staged a breakout……

A 55-year-old man suspected of being infected with the SARS virus staged a breakout……A 55-year-old man suspected of being infected with the SARS virus staged a breakout from a Hong Kong hospital after being held in quarantine.A spokeswoman for Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority says the man was caught by police and returned to the Prince of Wales Hospital. The SARS suspect escaped after demanding the hospital release him so he could return to his mainland home in southern China’s Guangdong province, neighbouring Hong Kong. The Chinese-language Sing Tao daily newspaper reports police and border crossing control points were alerted after the man’s escape, leading to his arrest. Yesterday, Hong Kong announced further measures to combat SARS by ordering all household contacts of confirmed SARS patients to confine themselves at home for up to 10 days with immediate effect. People who violate the order face a maximum fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (around $A1,200) and six months’ imprisonment. SARS has so far claimed 31 deaths in Hong Kong, with nearly 1,000 people infected. Hong Kong has been one of the places worst hit by the mystery virus which has now killed 112 people and infected close to 3,031 people in some 30 countries.(Source: ABC Online; Friday, April 11, 2003. 3:45pm (AEST)