The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday confirmed the accuracy of the number of SARS cases at the Baiyuan residential area in eastern Beijing's Chaoyang District.

The confirmation was made in response to an on-line report by the Asia Times claiming that the SARS cases at Baiyuan is being covered up and the actual figures have not been reported to the related authorities.

The Asia Times report also predicted that the SARS situation at Baiyuan could develop into a situation similar to that in Hong Kong's Amoy Gardens.

The center said that seven suspected and seven probable SARS cases have been detected at Baiyuan, and the figures have been included in the daily reports issued by the Chinese Ministry of Health.