Beijing: Hong Kong, worst-hit by the deadly SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus, on April 13 reported five more deaths, the maximum since the outbreak of the epidemic on March 12, pushing the death toll to 40.

During the last 24 hours, 42 new cases of SARS was reported, taking the cumulative number of patients to 1,150, Hong Kong's Department of Health said.

Five patients died in hospitals on April 12 night and April 13 morning, bringing to 40 the total number of deaths relating to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

A 40-year-old male died in United Christian Hospital. Two men, aged 41 and 52, a 45- year-old female and a 66-year-old female with a history of chronic disease died in Princess Margaret Hospital.

The new 42 SARS patients include nine healthcare workers and five patients from Amoy Gardens, the worst-affected housing colony in Hong Kong. The remaining 28 were new patients and contacts of patients with SARS.

Hong Kong on April 12 reported three deaths and 49 new cases while on April 11, the former British colony now under Chinese sovereignty, reported 61 new cases and two deaths.

Hong Kong currently has 927 patients of SARS out of which 122 patients are receiving treatment in intensive care units.

A total of 223 patients have recovered from atypical pneumonia and have been discharged from public hospitals. Of them, eight were discharged on April 13, the Health Department said.

The Ministry of Health of China did not release the daily SARS report on April 12 and13. As on April 11, the Chinese mainland reported 60 deaths and over 1,300 cases of infection.

PTI