Hospital sealed off as experts give grim warning

CHINA shut down a major hospital in Beijing and put more than 2,000 employees under observation for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) yesterday, as Hong Kong health experts said the disease may be even deadlier than originally thought.

Hours after the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised people against going to Beijing, police took positions around the 1,200-bed People’s Hospital to stop people going in or out.

“No one is allowed to enter or leave,” a member of the 2,300-strong staff said. “There are policemen and security guards standing outside.”