17 more deaths reported as Asian tourism suffers new SARS blow

Asia reported 17 more Sars deaths today as Beijing officials were ordered to step up efforts to fight the virus and Hong Kong school pupils went back to class wearing surgical masks after a three-week shutdown.

The death toll rose to 235 worldwide as China reported 11 new fatalities from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Malaysia announced its second death. Hong Kong announced another five, pushing the Sars toll there to 99.