A SARS prevention drill took place in Beijing's Dongcheng District on Saturday, reports Beijing Times.

At 2:15, the "patient", Zhang Wuji, who "had just returned from Singapore", went to the Beijing Union Hospital accompanied by his "wife", Zhao Min.

The temperature monitor at the entrance set off the alarm as Zhang stepped into the clinic, indicating that his temperature exceed 37.3 degrees centigrade. In a matter of moments, the doctor on duty asked Zhang to put on a mask, then two security workers accompanied him to the 24-hour fever clinic.

After undergoing a detailed examination conducted by a group of experts, Zhang was diagnosed as a suspected SARS patient at 2:46 and was instantly quarantined.

At 3:30, a disinfection team and police arrived at Zhang's home, No 11, Meitan Hutong, and designated it a quarantined area. Zhang's wife and son were told to remain at home for 14 days.

The entire drill was perfect expect for one oversight: no one paid attention to the fact that Zhao Min's temperature was found to be normal.

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