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CNN Sunday Morning
Death Toll From SARS Exceeds 700 Worldwide
Aired May 25, 2003 - 09:13 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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The death toll from SARS has exceeded 700 worldwide, following the release of new numbers throughout Asia. In Taiwan, 12 new deaths were reported pushing the island's total to 72; 570 people have been infected in Taiwan, though officials say that the spread is under control. On Sunday, Taiwan turned down aid offers from China, instead pushing for membership in the World Health Organization. The Taiwan government blames Beijing for keeping it out of the WHO.
Health officials in Canada have quarantined as many as 500 people in Toronto in a plan to help stop the spread of SARS there, and earlier they announced 33 possible cases of SARS have been identified. We get the latest from Steve Chao, CNN affiliate CTV in Canada as Toronto tries to put its best foot forward.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you have a great visit, OK?
STEVE CHAO, CTV CANADA (voice-over): Having gone through this before, Torontonians weren't about to let SARS get in the way of an opportunity.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You still have to live.
CHAO: Thousands lined up for free tours of the city's historical sites, all part of a campaign to bring people out again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The setbacks in Toronto, probably has strengthened people's resolve even more.
CHAO: Even at hospitals, where hundreds face quarantine, there wasn't the same sense of urgency.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, there is no fear. There is no fear. People are working very normally, patients are doing what needs to be done.
CHAO: The new normal where SARS, at times, will flare up, forcing hospitals into a mode of containment. That is what health officials predicted and that is what health officials say is happening now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a result of the work that has been done, we have the capacity to respond, we believe, more quickly and completely to protect the public. CHAO: Under the old system, the cases under investigation would never have been reported to the public until they were confirmed, but under the new system, officials say faster reporting means the faster they are able to quash an outbreak.
Officials at the World Health Organization agree, saying better communication with them has made it unlikely they will issue a travel advisory against Toronto.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just couldn't ask for a stronger collaboration.
CHAO: But, with another potential outbreak making headlines around the world, Toronto businesses dependent on tourists, are bracing for a tough summer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, we take one step forward and then you get knocked back a couple, but, you know, we're -- we're still looking for the long-term, because we'll come out of this.
CHAO: "Long-term" is the operative word. Advertising campaigns to lure back tourists may be postponed. Out of all this the one thing gained, say doctors, is a better understanding that SARS may not be as easily transmitted as originally feared.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The experience, not only in Toronto, and the rest of the world has been that this is not a disease that does well in the community, because it really isn't that transmissible.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 May 25, 2003 - 09:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The death toll from SARS has exceeded 700 worldwide, following the release of new numbers throughout Asia. In Taiwan, 12 new deaths were reported pushing the island's total to 72; 570 people have been infected in Taiwan, though officials say that the spread is under control. On Sunday, Taiwan turned down aid offers from China, instead pushing for membership in the World Health Organization. The Taiwan government blames Beijing for keeping it out of the WHO.
Health officials in Canada have quarantined as many as 500 people in Toronto in a plan to help stop the spread of SARS there, and earlier they announced 33 possible cases of SARS have been identified. We get the latest from Steve Chao, CNN affiliate CTV in Canada as Toronto tries to put its best foot forward.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you have a great visit, OK?
STEVE CHAO, CTV CANADA (voice-over): Having gone through this before, Torontonians weren't about to let SARS get in the way of an opportunity.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You still have to live.
CHAO: Thousands lined up for free tours of the city's historical sites, all part of a campaign to bring people out again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The setbacks in Toronto, probably has strengthened people's resolve even more.
CHAO: Even at hospitals, where hundreds face quarantine, there wasn't the same sense of urgency.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, there is no fear. There is no fear. People are working very normally, patients are doing what needs to be done.
CHAO: The new normal where SARS, at times, will flare up, forcing hospitals into a mode of containment. That is what health officials predicted and that is what health officials say is happening now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a result of the work that has been done, we have the capacity to respond, we believe, more quickly and completely to protect the public. CHAO: Under the old system, the cases under investigation would never have been reported to the public until they were confirmed, but under the new system, officials say faster reporting means the faster they are able to quash an outbreak.
Officials at the World Health Organization agree, saying better communication with them has made it unlikely they will issue a travel advisory against Toronto.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just couldn't ask for a stronger collaboration.
CHAO: But, with another potential outbreak making headlines around the world, Toronto businesses dependent on tourists, are bracing for a tough summer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, we take one step forward and then you get knocked back a couple, but, you know, we're -- we're still looking for the long-term, because we'll come out of this.
CHAO: "Long-term" is the operative word. Advertising campaigns to lure back tourists may be postponed. Out of all this the one thing gained, say doctors, is a better understanding that SARS may not be as easily transmitted as originally feared.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The experience, not only in Toronto, and the rest of the world has been that this is not a disease that does well in the community, because it really isn't that transmissible.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
