China on Monday reported five more deaths due to SARS and said another 12 people were infected, taking the national toll to 289 and the cumulative number globally to 5,236.

The 12 new cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is the lowest since April 20 when China started issuing
nationwide SARS-related statistics.

Releasing the latest SARS figures, China's Health Ministry said three of the five deaths occurred in the capital Beijing [ Images ], currently the hardest-hit city in the world.

Beijing has now registered a total of 150 fatalities, more than half of China's total of 289.