Taiwan reported 50 new SARS cases -- the biggest increase in six days -- on Thursday, but officials said the sharp jump included 40 patients who earlier tested negative and were later reclassified as confirmed.

The new figure raised Taiwan's total SARS infections to 660. The figure includes 122 people who have recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome and left hospital, officials said.

The death toll remained unchanged at 81, officials said.

During the past six days, the number of SARS cases reported in Taiwan has been dwindling and officials have become confident the outbreak has peaked. On Wednesday, only 14 cases were reported and 11 were listed on Tuesday.