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School praised for way it dealt with swine flu
South Hampstead High re-opens
A GIRL’S school in Hampstead was expected to re-open this morning (Thursday) to news that a 14-year old pupil diagnosed with swine flu has made a good recovery.
Parents of pupils at South Hampstead High in Maresfield Gardens were informed on Sunday that the school would close as a precaution after the girl, from Barnet, was confirmed as having the H1N1 virus.
Although staff and pupils who came into contact with the Year 9 student were given precautionary treatment, no further cases have been confirmed.
In an online message to parents last night, the private school’s headmistress Jenny Stephen said the Health Protection Agency (HPA) had advised her to re-open the school. In an earlier message she had said the confirmed flu victim was “at home and well”.
She said: “The Health Protection Agency has advised that the school should close with immediate effect and reopen on Thursday May 7 in the first instance. This is to reduce the impact of any potential spread of the infection.
“All staff who taught our one case and the whole of her year-group have been given Tamiflu, the anti-viral treatment, to reduce the spread of infection.”
Social events at South Hampstead High, including an upper sixth-form leavers’ ball, were cancelled, but pupils were allowed in to take GCSE and A-level exams and they could access learning materials placed on the school website this week.
One parent who spoke to the New Journal praised the school’s handling of the incident.
She said: “The school was closed immediately and the parents were all properly informed. We were all emailed information and given leaflets on public health. I really think it couldn’t have been handled any better.”
No cases of the swine flu virus had been reported at any other Camden school last night.
A council spokeswoman said: “The council has sent guidance to all its schools, children’s and play centres as well as to sheltered housing and other council run centres where groups of people congregate.
“The council is in close contact with local health bodies and the Health Protection Agency to ensure that we communicate guidance as soon as we receive it. This fast-changing situation is being closely monitored and we encourage everyone to remain calm.”
The Joint Council Qualifications, which oversees exam results, said yesterday that pupils could be awarded grades based on coursework if their exams are disrupted by school closure.
Patients from outside Camden have been treated for swine flu at both University College London and Royal Free hospitals in the last ten days.
The Health Protection Agency said yesterday that 28 cases of swine flu were confirmed in the UK, and a further 333 possible cases were being tested.
The advice from NHS Camden, the borough’s Primary Care Trust, is that anyone suffering from flu symptoms who is concerned should stay at home and check their symptoms either online at www.nhs.uk or by calling the swine flu information line on 0800 1513513. NHS Camden asked people not to go to accident and emergency wards or their GP unless they are extremely unwell and need medical attention. |
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