Beijing: In a preventive step, Hong Kong authorities on March 31 isolated inmates of an entire apartment block in Kowloon for 10 days to guard against further spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, which so far claimed the life of 13 people in the territory and 59 world wide.

"Hong Kong had taken an unprecedented action by ordering the isolation of a housing estate block for 10 days from today (March 31)," secretary for health, welfare and food, Yeoh Eng-Kiong, said.

He noted that the unusual move was made necessary by a very large outbreak of SARS, or atypical pneumonia, in block E of Amoy Gardens in Kowloon, a busy shopping area.

Yeoh pointed out that 213 residents of Amoy Gardens were admitted with suspected atypical pneumonia, 107 of them from block E.

As on March 30, Hong Kong had 530 SARS patients admitted to hospitals, of which 52 were in intensive care units.

"During the isolation period, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the premises without express permission in writing of a health officer," the government said, adding medical personnel will visit residents' homes to conduct health checks.

During the isolation period, residents are being provided three meals a day free of charge.

Drug stores have reported a scramble for surgical masks as the concern over the deadly disease has spread.

PTI