Two more Birmingham schools hit by swine flu
TWO more Birmingham schools were closed today after being hit by swine flu.
Four new cases have been confirmed at Heathfield Primary in Heathfield Road, Handsworth, and it has been shut for a week.
A further case has been identified at St James Primary, in Sandwell Road, also Handsworth, and it was also shut.
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said its closure was as a result of sickness and staffing levels.
Yesterday it was revealed that two cases have been linked to Hollyhead Secondary School, in Handsworth, although it has remained open.
All are near to Welford Primary, the scene of the UK’s largest outbreak where 96 cases have been confirmed.
Welford Primary was closed for more than a week, but re-opened after the half-term break.
No-one was available for comment from Heathfield Primary today, but the school’s answer phone said it would be closed until next Monday (15) to prevent the outbreak from spreading.
The Health Protection Agency said it had risk-assessed St James Primary and concluded its immediate closure was not necessary.
But the council spokesman said: “A combination of factors have resulted in its closure, some operational because of staffing, and also sickness.”
He could not say how many staff were absent.
There is now growing concern that the illness is spreading among schoolchildren and that further schools could be hit, although this has been played down by the Health Protection Agency.
Today, the HPA said it cannot be sure how many of the new cases have come as a direct result of contact with pupils, parents and staff at Welford Primary.
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