The Health Bureau today (24 April) announced that PCR test result suggested that the Dutch student hospitalized two days ago for pneumonia did not suffer from SARS.

A press release from the bureau indicated that he has rallied from fever and his condition was improving.

Meanwhile, a saleswoman who got a negative PCR test result earlier had got her second PCR test result negative again. She has had a normal body temperature for three days continuously and was believed to be recovering.

Another patient, a 52 year old man isolated yesterday, according to the press release, continued to have low fever and signs of pneumonia was shown on lung X-ray. Thus the possibility of SARS could not be ruled out until PCR test result came out negative.

The Health Bureau would continue to watch closely over the patient and would disclose the latest development of his condition timely.

On the other hand, the bureau announced that portable infrared thermometer would be tested at the Cotai Checkpoint where the Lotus Bridge links Macao to the neighbouring city of Zhuhai

As of the afternoon of 24 April, there is no confirmed case of SARS in Macao.