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China says no `intentional` cover-up of SARS cases
Beijing, May 30: A drop in SARS infection rate in China today prompted the World Health Organisation to express `cautious optimism` while Beijing again vociferously denied any intentional cover up of the outbreak and claimed that the fears against travelling to the mainland were unjustified.
Beijing, May 30: A drop in SARS infection rate in China today prompted the World Health Organisation to express "cautious optimism" while Beijing again vociferously denied any intentional cover up of the outbreak and claimed that the fears against travelling to the mainland were unjustified.
"There was no intentional effort to conceal the truth, it is only that at that time, because of the lack of good information collection system, it was quite difficult for us to lay our hands on the exact figures," executive vice-minister of health Guo Qiang said defending former minister Zhang Wenkang.
Zhang, along with Beijing mayor Meng Xuenong, was sacked on April 20 as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic worsened in China, especially in Chinese capital.
Guo claimed the initial confusion about the actual magnitude of the outbreak of SARS in China occurred as hospitals in many parts of the country were controlled by different organisations, including the Chinese military.
He also claimed that the state-run Chinese media also did not cover up the outbreak and had reported the news of the first outbreak in south China's Guangdong province.
After reporting the lowest SARS infection rate-two deaths and three cases of infections yesterday, China's ministry of health today reported one death and seven cases of infections.
Meanwhile who expressed "cautious optimism" on the fall in infection rate.
"WHO is cautiously optimistic that outbreaks in mainland China are being brought under control in provinces with good surveillance and reporting systems and good infection control in hospitals," the UN agency said in a statement.
Bureau Report
Zhang, along with Beijing mayor Meng Xuenong, was sacked on April 20 as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic worsened in China, especially in Chinese capital.
Guo claimed the initial confusion about the actual magnitude of the outbreak of SARS in China occurred as hospitals in many parts of the country were controlled by different organisations, including the Chinese military.
He also claimed that the state-run Chinese media also did not cover up the outbreak and had reported the news of the first outbreak in south China's Guangdong province.
After reporting the lowest SARS infection rate-two deaths and three cases of infections yesterday, China's ministry of health today reported one death and seven cases of infections.
Meanwhile who expressed "cautious optimism" on the fall in infection rate.
"WHO is cautiously optimistic that outbreaks in mainland China are being brought under control in provinces with good surveillance and reporting systems and good infection control in hospitals," the UN agency said in a statement.
Bureau Report