An order is issued for all cases to be disclosed fully, while infections are reported at many Beijing universities
The Communist Party's top leadership held an emergency meeting yesterday to address the Sars crisis, while infections were reported at more than a dozen Beijing universities.
The Standing Committee of the Politburo, chaired by President and party leader Hu Jintao, issued a statement on state television ordering that severe acute respiratory cases should be fully disclosed.
'[Leaders and cadres at all levels] should have an accurate account of the epidemic situation, faithfully reporting to the public on a regular basis,' the statement said, adding that there should not be any delay in reporting and no cover-ups.
The nine top party leaders were briefed on the Sars situation, the broadcast said, without elaborating.
The Health Ministry and state media were silent yesterday about the claims by World Health Organisation experts that China's capital has failed to report up to 160 Sars cases because of military secrecy. China faced criticism in the wake of the WHO allegations, with US and European Union officials blaming what they said was the government's lack of co-operation for the global spread of the virus.
The impact of the disease is now apparent in Beijing as rumours fly and authorities struggle to manage growing fears.
