China: Nine more SARS deaths, 203 new cases

China on Monday said nine more people had died from SARS and another 203 were infected, taking the death toll to 139 and the number of cases to 3,106.

Nearly half, or 96, of the new cases reported by the Ministry of Health were in Beijing, which is reeling from a huge jump in infections since the health minister and city mayor were fired for covering up the extent of the outbreak.

The ministry said the latest figures, up to 0730 IST on Monday, included three deaths in Beijing.

The city has now 59 reported deaths -- more than any other area of the country, including the southern province of Guangdong where SARS first appeared in November -- and 1,199 cases.

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