[AG-TECH] Update on NCHC's SARS Grid current progress and news stories

[Grace Shau-Wei Hong]

Dear Friends and Experts -

Attached please find an update of NCHC's SARS Grid current progress
on page 5. The first four pages of descriptions on NCHC's initial involvement,
the spread of SARS in Taiwan, requirements and solutions adopted
are especially for those who may not receive the update of May 21st.

Please also notice that the contact person of NCHC's AG deployment
for monitoring SARS in Taiwan is me from now on. We truly thank
the Program Manager of PRAGMA, Teri Simas, for sending out
NCHC's call for AG expertise in the international grid communities.

I will continue to keep each of you posted. Thank you all for your
concern and support.
=== 

Grace Hong / Special Assistant to Grid Computing Division
National Center for High-Performance Computing
#7, R&D VI Rd. Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Tel: 886-3-5776085 ext.370 Fax: 886-3-5773538
Email: gswhong at nchc.org.tw

--------------
In the News

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=18031

Taiwan reports 10 more SARS cases, no new deaths (updated 10:13)
2003/5/24
TAIPEI, Taiwan, AP

For the second day in a row, Taiwan reported no new SARS deaths Saturday, though the number of infections rose by 10. 

The new figures bring Taiwan's number of SARS cases to 548, while the death toll stayed at 60, the island's Center for Disease Control said. 


A total of 102 SARS patients have left hospital after recovering from the disease, health officials said. 


Taiwan has the world's third-highest SARS toll after China and Hong Kong. 

==

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=18029



Legislative Yuan approves NT$50 billion for SARS battle (updated AM 01:56)
2003/5/24
The China Post staff 


The Legislative Yuan approved yesterday a special NT$50 billion budget plan yesterday after three readings without any funding being axed, showing lawmakers' support for efforts to combat the spread of the deadly SARS virus 
The package is the result of a special budget plan submitted by the Executive Yuan May 15, when SARS was taking an increasing toll on Taiwan, including dozens of deaths and an overall economic downturn. 

A total NT$23.8 billion of the budget will be used to set up a SARS prevention and reporting system, finance anti SARS programs at medical facilities and help families of SARS victims, according to the budget. 

Some NT$10.5 billion is earmarked for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications for SARS prevention measures in the transportation service industry, including quarantine programs and measures to upgrade disinfection of related facilities. The budget will also be used to subsidize airline companies, which are one of the industries hardest hit by SARS. 

So far this month, the number of passengers at the Taipei CKS International Airport has fallen more than 80 percent from a year earlier as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) makes itself felt and undercuts the economy. 

NT$9.3 billion is reserved for the Ministry of Economic Affairs for financial bail-outs of small- and medium-sized enterprises that have indirectly been severely affected. 

The budget also includes an allocation of NT$2 billion for the National Science Council for the research and development of anti-SARS vaccines and medicines, as well as financing basic medical development. 

NT$1.5 billion is allocated to the Ministry of the Interior for quarantine services, electronic monitoring of people in home quarantine, stepped-up measures to crack down on stowaways and illegal immigrants from mainland China, and financial compensation for police and fire-fighting units engaged in SARS-prevention efforts. 

Another NT$700 million is earmarked for the Ministry of Education for buying SARS-prevention medical supplies and beefing up measures for Web site teaching and video conferencing programs. 

The Veterans Affairs Commission is allocated NT$500 million for SARS prevention disinfection and for building quarantine quarters in military-run nursing homes. 

The Council of Labor Affairs will receive NT$390 million to subsidize quarantined laborers who incur financial losses because of SARS. 

The Executive Yuan plans to raise the budget mainly through borrowing, according to Executive Yuan officials. 

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