Bristol school hit by swine flu remains closed
Downend School in Bristol remains closed after a 12-year-old girl was confirmed as having swine flu.
The youngster was sent home last week after she complained of feeling unwell following a trip to Mexico.
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On Friday the school was completely shut when tests confirmed she had the illness.
The year 7 pupil, who was said to have mild symptoms, and 270 other students and staff, have all been given a 10-day course of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
The girl was on the same flight as a couple from Scotland who caught the flu virus in Mexico.
Downend School also said that other pupils who had come into close contact with the girl had been checked for swine flu symptoms.
Pupils were told the news in an assembly at 1pm last Friday.
Last night the school thanked parents for their patience. It said the school would not reopen until Monday, May 11.
Exams scheduled for this week will be postponed to a later date, rather than taking place at a different location.
9 Comments
by bristolblue76, bristol
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 9:14AM
“would it not make more sense for the schools to keep home the one child that has been to mexico insted of letting them back in school then having to shut it because they have caught it makes no sense!!!parent of year 9 child”
by Student, Kingswood Partnership
Monday, May 04 2009, 6:21PM
“its nice to know that the downend students and teachers get the drug whilst us partnership students get nothing and we travel from our schools to learn at downend and we could of passed this 12 year old in the corridor and we only found out friday that downend was infected”
by Worrybean, Bristol
Monday, May 04 2009, 5:49PM
“Good luck with the exams when they do start - hopefully the revision won't be too badly hampered and the time off school is used revising at home instead.... (or in the library with friends)...”
by YEAR 11 PUPIL, Downend
Monday, May 04 2009, 4:53PM
“Im so annoyed about having this week off, may sound weird coming from a teenager who would usually do anything to get away from school .. but im missing vital revision time! I agree with Sarah, why did only year 7's get the tablets?! I passed the little girl about 3 times last week in school! It isn't the schools choice, its the HPA or whatever they are called .. what a joke!”
by Teacher, Bash Street Scool
Monday, May 04 2009, 4:46PM
“"Maybe I should become a teacher...!"
Shh, Cupboard under the stairs!
So, if it's that easy, what's stopping you then?”
by sarah, bristol
Monday, May 04 2009, 3:56PM
“if this so called swine flu is so bad why only give tamiflue to year 7 and all teachers???the whole school would be at risk as classrooms are shared by all years as is the toliets the canteen the list goes on!if it was so contagious and as it stated the school needs to be deep cleaned surley the whole school would be at risk from catching it !!! a fed up parent!”
by DOWNEND PUPIL, Bristol
Monday, May 04 2009, 2:47PM
“Cheers Downend School for going OTT and making all year 11 students miss vital reivison before our exams.
What a joke...”
by Shh, Cupboard under the stairs!
Monday, May 04 2009, 2:01PM
“Just another excuse to close a school & send the kids home - what about the poor parents who work?
Health & safety gone mad - will they be closing every winter when coughs & colds are about?
As if they don't get long enough holidays anyway!!
Maybe I should become a teacher...!”
by James, Bristol
Monday, May 04 2009, 12:18PM
“Is this really news? Most schools don't open on a Bank Holiday anyway, and as was originally reported, it wasn't due to be opened until the 11th anyway...”