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HK closes schools amid flu fear

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-11 14:23

HONG KONG -- All kindergartens, primary schools, child care centers and special schools in Hong Kong will be closed for 14 days starting from Friday to prevent local transmission of influenza A(H1N1), Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced Thursday.

Related readings:  A(H1N1) Influenza Outbreak Related readings:  China may see localized outbreaks of A(H1N1) flu  Chinese mainland reports 111 A/H1N1 flu cases  WHO on verge of declaring H1N1 pandemic  HK confirms 4 new cases of A(H1N1) flu  China starts batch production of A(H1N1) vaccine

The decision came after a meeting held by Tsang together with the steering committee on pandemic strategies.

Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, Tsang said 12 students from St. Paul's Convent School in Causeway Bay were confirmed to have contracted the A(H1N1) virus, which became the first local cluster of cases in the territory. This brings about the decision of class suspension arrangement mentioned above.

The Hospital Authority will open on Saturday eight flu clinics for managing patients with influenza like illness. The authority will expand the number of clinics to 18 if necessary, he said.

Tsang told the community not to panic but urged people to remain alert to combat the disease.