Warning of long-term problems as nine die

NINE more deaths were reported from SARS in China yesterday as the country's premier warned the deadly virus was going to be a long-term problem.

He was speaking as Asian leaders hammered out plans to fight outbreaks that have killed hundreds and threatened economic growth.

China, harshly criticised for covering up the disease initially, reported nine more deaths and 202 new cases yesterday, most of them in the capital Beijing, as the virus raged unabated in the country at the epicentre of the SARS scourge.