Beijing (Fides Service) - After the clamorous events of last Sunday, April 20, when the Minister of Health and the mayor of Beijing were dismissed for inefficiency, in China the real entity of the SARS epidemic is emerging.
SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is everywhere on Chinese and international media. Public and private organisations continue to issue precautions to limit contagion. Schools of all grades and universities have suspended classes for two weeks. The famous cradle of Beijing elite BeiJing University has cancelled all celebrations for the 105th anniversary of its foundation. QingHua University has closed various entrances to reduce affluence. Large stores, usually crowded, are deserted. The national carrier Air China has said it will return at full price without commission money paid for unused tickets for Beijing to attend cancelled May 1st celebrations. Churches in Beijing have temporarily suspended all services, except for Sunday Mass for which the faithful are requested to keep to rules issued by the dioceses. Local sources contacted by Fides Service that they have "never seen Beijing so sad, anguished and worried in all its long history".
Here is a table showing figures on SARS issued by the Chinese authorities on 21 April >>