Parents angry after Kingston swine flu schools stay open (From Surrey Comet)

Parents angry after Kingston swine flu schools stay open

1:20pm Saturday 11th July 2009

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The swine flu pandemic has come to the borough, with one Kingston school branded “careless and stupid” by parents after refusing to close its doors when a pupil became infected.

Children from Our Lady Immaculate (OLI), Tolworth and Grand Avenue Primary in Surbiton have both confirmed cases of the virus in the past few days, with unconfirmed reports of cases in several other schools around the borough.

Fears are rife the virus has quickly spread between the two schools, which are just over half a mile apart, and worried parents are angry the schools have been kept open despite the outbreaks.

One fuming OLI parent, who asked not to be named, said she was in tears and had been sick after reading an email from the school on July 7 about the swine flu case.

The email said that because it was likely transmission had already occurred in the school and wider community, there was no public health reason to close the school - although it urged parents to seek medical advice if symptoms emerged.

She said: “They should shut the school and everyone should be tested. I don’t care how much it’s going to cost.

“Every other school has been closed down, so why hasn’t ours? It’s careless and stupid.

“I understand it’s around but it’s never been this close. I’m shaking with anger and I’m disgusted this decision has been made without parents being involved.”

Both schools refused to comment on the outbreaks.

The schools have been kept open after the Government plans for dealing with the pandemic changed from containment to treatment, following a surge in cases across the country.

The UK is expecting more than 100,000 new cases of the H1N1 strain to be confirmed every day by the end of the summer, according to a statement made to the World Health Organisation summit in Cancun, Mexico, on July 3.

More than 7,000 cases have already been diagnosed in the UK, with seven frail and vulnerable people dying while suffering from the virus.

Government advice for anyone who thinks they might have swine flu is to remain at home and check their symptoms at nhs.uk, or call the information line on 08001 513513.

• See our swine flu section for the latest updates

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