# 3197
Twenty-four hours ago New York City announced that 3 schools would be closed for at least the next week because of a high number of suspected (along with a handful of confirmed) H1N1 flu cases.
Today, 3 more schools were added to the list.
Meanwhile in Houston, Texas an elementary school that has seen a high rate of absenteeism this week for `flu-like-illnesses’ has also decided to shut down after it was announced today that 12 students had tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
Most school districts have managed to reconvene school during the past week, despite seeing scattered H1N1 cases. Schools particularly hard hit by the virus do have the option of closing.
Two stories.
First, this one from the AP.
NY closing more schools because of swine flu fears
By AMY WESTFELDT and VERENA DOBNIK
Associated Press WritersNEW YORK (AP) -- New York City is closing three more schools where students have been sickened with swine flu symptoms. That brings the number of shuttered schools to six.
A city official says the new schools are in Queens and Brooklyn. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the shut-down has not been announced.
The latest closures suggest the virus is spreading quickly, although officials caution that the symptoms have generally been mild. However, an assistant principal is in critical condition with a confirmed case.
This next report comes from KTRK News, Houston TV-13.
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston health officials have now confirmed the H1N1 virus in 12 of the more than 80 students who have gotten sick recently at Travis Elementary School in the Heights. Hundreds of students have missed classes there this week as concerned parents kept their healthy kids at home. Now officials have decided to close the school, effective immediately.
Initially, two cases of H1N1 had been confirmed at the school. Now health department officials have increased that number to 12.
HISD officials made the decision at about 2:30pm today to cancel classes and keep the school closed through Memorial Day. Students will be expected back in class on Tuesday, May 26. At this time plans are just to keep the school closed in the hopes the virus will die on its own. However, health officials will be consulted to determine if thorough cleaning of the facility is required.
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