http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP24575.htm

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By Carrie Lee

HONG KONG, June 2 (Reuters) - A young woman doctor who treated SARS patients has died in Hong Kong, the third healthcare worker to die from the virus in two days, sparking criticism of measures taken to protect medical staff.

Cheng Ha-yan, 30, was infected by a patient who was admitted for another illness and who did not show any of the tell-tale SARS symptoms, officials said on Monday.

Cheng was the fourth doctor and eighth medical worker to die from the disease which first appeared in neighbouring southern China in November. She died late on Sunday.

More than one-fifth of the city's SARS cases are healthcare workers. Exhausted hospital staff have complained of insufficient protective gear, a charge which some senior officials have acknowledged.

"With inadequate isolation of patients, other patients are put at risk and healthcare workers are also being put at risk," said legislator and infectious disease specialist Lo Wing-lok.

"Because of that, SARS cannot come to an end."

Health officials told a news conference on Monday that another four people, including one nurse, in the city had been confirmed with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the past 24 hours.

SARS has infected 1,746 people and killed 282 in total in Hong Kong, the worst hit in the world outside mainland China.

It has killed more than 700 people worldwide.

Some SARS victims, especially the elderly, do not show all the symptoms such as high fever.

Cheng's death followed that of a hospital attendant and a private doctor over the weekend, dealing a blow to the morale of hospital staff.

"Dr Cheng was a very helpful and responsible doctor. We are very proud of her exceptional act of bravery. It is very sad that she passed away at this young age," one of her colleagues said.