Bermudian Christopher Bickley yesterday contacted The Royal Gazette from SARS hit Hong Kong and said everyone was hoping the mystery disease was beginning to wane.

The partner at Conyers Dill & Pearman's Hong Kong office said the city's schools will remain closed until next week, and people remained concerned about the fatal illness, but the latest figures of those affected looked promising.

He said so far there had been 708 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong and 16 deaths, with 1,300 people being put into quarantine.

However, he said the number of new cases was beginning to substantially fall.

Mr. Bickley said: "The normally bustling streets of central Hong Kong have become quite quiet and shops and restaurants have recorded a significant downturn of business.

"Most of our staff are using masks to go to and from work and at lunchtime, as we understand that it is likely that the disease is spread by droplets when people cough of sneeze. Everyone is trying their best to avoid crowded places.

"But on the bright side, the chances of someone getting the disease are low and the number of cases reported yesterday (WED) went down significantly."

Mr. Bickley said on Tuesday there were 75 new cases, but on Wednesday that figure dropped to 23.

He added: "Also, 89 people who have had it have now recovered and have been released from hospital. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the government's control measures are beginning to work and people's heightened awareness to SARS will bring it under control."

Bermudian teenager Christine Mayor, who is studying in Hong Kong, said the fear of catching the disease had changed the people of the city.

She said: "Before the outbreak of SARS, Hong Kong had the busiest streets I had ever walked down, with people having little regard for personal space.

"Now they go out of their way to avoid being within a three-foot radius of you; seldom finding yourself bumping into anyone anymore, contained in a bubble world.

"My roommate was telling me the other day she bumped into some friends and smiled at them. She wondered why they didn't respond, then she realised they couldn't see her smiling under her mask.

"This represents the biggest change this disease has caused. The overreaction and spreading paranoia has suspended the vibrancy of this city.

"Though I had been planning on travelling at the end of the year, as school is out on May 25, my plans will now depend on the political situation due to the war in Iraq, and now also the health one."