Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

China Now Reporting 194 New Cases of SARS

Aired April 22, 2003 - 05:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: China is now reporting 194 new cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and 13 new fatalities. That raises the total number of SARS cases in mainland China to more than 2,000 and the death toll to 92. This is significant because it shows the government is being more open about the spread of SARS and the efforts to combat it.
CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Chinese public reaction has been mixed after Beijing officials announced drastic steps to curb the spread of SARS.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We get our information from two sources, the state media and the unofficial channels. Usually the information are quite different, but now their numbers are getting closer.

FLORCRUZ: Chinese newspapers and TV channels now report there are over 400 confirmed patients in Beijing alone, 10 times the previous official count and probably closer to the real situation, according to some World Health Organization estimates. International experts are pleased.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it shows that the government is very serious now in getting open and being transparent.

FLORCRUZ: Chinese leaders dismissed the health minister and the Beijing mayor just days after warning against under counting and cover-up of SARS cases. The U.S. Senate majority leader, visiting Beijing, complimented President Hu Jintao.

SEN. BILL FRIST (R), TENNESSEE: He took bold action over the last 48 hours while we were here in China to boldly and courageously address this virus. There has been increased reporting, increased commitment to prevention, increased commitment to treatment by President Jintao.

FLORCRUZ: Still, just how widely SARS has spread in China remains an open-ended question. Experts worry about China's readiness, especially in the poorer inland provinces.

DR. HENK BEKEDAM, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: What we have learned so far with SARS is that you don't need to be for a hundred percent ready, you need to be for 300 percent ready for SARS, because those one or two cases, if you miss them, you can have a small outbreak.

FLORCRUZ (on camera): Experts say Beijing now needs to inform the public so they can better understand what SARS is all about and what role they can play in containing the dreaded disease.

Jaime FlorCruz, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And SARS is certainly a global concern, with more than 3,800 cases and 217 deaths worldwide. It is the focus of a CNN special report with Paula Zahn. Don't miss it. It airs tonight at 8:30 Eastern, 5:30 Pacific Time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired April 22, 2003 - 05:23   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: China is now reporting 194 new cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and 13 new fatalities. That raises the total number of SARS cases in mainland China to more than 2,000 and the death toll to 92. This is significant because it shows the government is being more open about the spread of SARS and the efforts to combat it.
CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Chinese public reaction has been mixed after Beijing officials announced drastic steps to curb the spread of SARS.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We get our information from two sources, the state media and the unofficial channels. Usually the information are quite different, but now their numbers are getting closer.

FLORCRUZ: Chinese newspapers and TV channels now report there are over 400 confirmed patients in Beijing alone, 10 times the previous official count and probably closer to the real situation, according to some World Health Organization estimates. International experts are pleased.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it shows that the government is very serious now in getting open and being transparent.

FLORCRUZ: Chinese leaders dismissed the health minister and the Beijing mayor just days after warning against under counting and cover-up of SARS cases. The U.S. Senate majority leader, visiting Beijing, complimented President Hu Jintao.

SEN. BILL FRIST (R), TENNESSEE: He took bold action over the last 48 hours while we were here in China to boldly and courageously address this virus. There has been increased reporting, increased commitment to prevention, increased commitment to treatment by President Jintao.

FLORCRUZ: Still, just how widely SARS has spread in China remains an open-ended question. Experts worry about China's readiness, especially in the poorer inland provinces.

DR. HENK BEKEDAM, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: What we have learned so far with SARS is that you don't need to be for a hundred percent ready, you need to be for 300 percent ready for SARS, because those one or two cases, if you miss them, you can have a small outbreak.

FLORCRUZ (on camera): Experts say Beijing now needs to inform the public so they can better understand what SARS is all about and what role they can play in containing the dreaded disease.

Jaime FlorCruz, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And SARS is certainly a global concern, with more than 3,800 cases and 217 deaths worldwide. It is the focus of a CNN special report with Paula Zahn. Don't miss it. It airs tonight at 8:30 Eastern, 5:30 Pacific Time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com