Hong Kong's SARS Trust Fund has received 1,011 applications and the fund's committee has approved 760 cases and rejected 120 applications so far.

According to a government press release, of the 1,011 applications received, 315 were from relatives of the deceased, 692 from recovered SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) patients, and four from "suspected" patients treated with steroids.

Of the approved cases, 244 were from relatives of the deceased and 516 were recovered or "suspected" cases.

SARS Trust Fund committee members found that some families of deceased SARS patients and recovered patients have made steady progress over the past 12 months.

Since the establishment of the SARS Trust Fund in last November, committee members had been closely monitoring the recovered SARS patients' well being and that of family members who had lost a relative to SARS.

They have made arrangements to meet some of the patients and family members of the deceased from time to time.

Committee members observed that families who lost loved ones to SARS have moved on and are ready to face their new lives.

While some of the recovered SARS patients cannot yet resume work because of their poor health, others have continued working, and some have tried to work as much as possible and secured part-time employment.

The government stands ready to continue to assist the recovered patients on their way to full physical and psychological recovery.

(Xinhua News  Agency  July 7, 2004)