In intensive care.

This article focuses on the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on the economy of Hong Kong in China. Hong Kong, with more SARS cases than any other city in the world, is by far the worst hit economy. Its tourist industry, which accounts for 5 percent of GDP, has been obliterated. Average hotel occupancy over the Easter holidays has fallen by around 80 percent and is now in single digits. Five hotels are for sale already. Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, Hong Kong's two passenger airlines, have lost two-thirds of their normal traffic. Restaurants are empty. Domestic demand has dropped as well. Retail prices have been falling since 1998; in March, deflation turned virulent and hit 2.1 percent. Economists expect that April will be worse. The property market has been in the doldrums since 1997, even without SARS.