Beijing: The deadly SARS virus claimed 10 more lives in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the toll to about 100 in each region and raising fears of a massive epidemic in the world's most populous nation as the outbreak spread to newer areas.

While mainland China has reported 97 deaths, 99 people have died in Hong Kong - the highest in the world. Five people each died in both regions since April 21.

Malaysia and the Philippines also reported suspected deaths due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) on April 22.

According to official World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, 217 people have died of the disease so far while 3,861 people in 27 countries have been sickened.

China's Health Ministry on April 22 said the number of confirmed SARS cases reported on the mainland till April 21 had risen to 2,158. Besides, there were 918 suspected cases.

In capital Beijing, the number of reported cases jumped 13 times in two days and now stood at 588 of whom 99 are health workers, Xinhua news agency reported.

Twenty-eight people have died due to the disease in Beijing while 46 were cured and discharged from hospitals as of April 21, the report said.

Throughout the mainland, 1,213 had been discharged from hospitals after recovery, it said.

In Hong Kong, there were 32 fresh cases of SARS, including 10 health workers. Of the 973 other SARS patients in hospitals in the area, 109 are receiving treatment in intensive care units, health sources said.

PTI