Beijing: China did not report any new cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) today (Apr 26, 2004), but ordered an inspection of the bio-safety laboratories, which are said to be the source of all the seven cases of the deadly disease and one death.

There were no new suspected or diagnosed cases of SARS during the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said in Beijing. However, nearly 500 people are in quarantine in capital Beijing and Southern Anhui province.

The Ministry said in its daily SARS surveillance report that the SARS patient diagnosed in Beijing and surnamed Li is in "relatively stable condition" and has had normal temperature for 10 straight days.

The five suspected SARS patients of Beijing are now receiving medical treatment in Beijing Ditan hospital.

Another patient in Anhui, surnamed Song is also in stable condition and none of the people with close contact with her have showed abnormal symptoms so far, the Ministry said. A total of 337 people in the capital and 133 in Anhui are under quarantine, official 'China Daily' said.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health have sent five joint teams to inspect bio-safety laboratories in areas including Beijing, Guangdong and Hubei provinces.

The inspections will be focused on bio-safety labs that are working on national research projects. The inspectors will see how these labs have implemented safety measures and how these researches are going on.