Queens' School pupil confirmed with swine flu (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)
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Queens' School pupil confirmed with swine flu
3:30pm Monday 22nd June 2009 in Swine Flu By John Harrison
Queens' School pupil confirmed with swine flu
Health experts have confirmed a Year 9 girl at Queens' School, in Bushey, has tested positive for swine flu.
A spokesman for West Herts Primary Care Trust has said the school will now close to all pupils, except those who are taking examinations, for at least seven days.
A number of pupils and staff at the Aldenham Road school have also reported flu-like symptoms and are being offered the medicine Tamiflu as a precaution.
The Watford Observer understands a number of pupils have been tested for the virus at the Bushey Health Centre throughout the day.
There is currently only one definite case in the school and it is not known how the pupil contracted the bug.
Experts from the Health Protection Agency, as well as NHS staff, have already visited the school to reassure staff, pupils and parents by providing detailed health advice and information.
“I would like to reassure local people that closing this school is a precautionary measure and there is no cause for alarm."
Dr Jane Halpin
Parents will be notified of the closure today, when pupils will be sent home with letters explaining about the closure.
A pupil at St Columba's College, in St Albans, also tested positive for swine flu at the weekend.
However, Dr Jane Halpin, director of public health at NHS West Hertfordshire, sought to reassure parents.
She said: “I would like to reassure local people that closing this school is a precautionary measure and there is no cause for alarm.
"We and our colleagues at the Health Protection Agency are working closely with the school to ensure that those pupils and staff who have been in contact with the child who has swine flu and those displaying flu-like symptoms have access to Tamiflu.
"We will be monitoring this situation closely.
"The best way to prevent the spread of colds and flu include always using a tissue to catch your sneezes, throwing away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly washing your hands."
Comments(36)
wfc2009
says...
4:14pm Mon 22 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet
says...
4:35pm Mon 22 Jun 09
Or has it ?
samgardner94
says...
4:42pm Mon 22 Jun 09
sammy_babez
says...
4:53pm Mon 22 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet wrote:queens skl has been shut apparently but only for a week! i fink the skl should be shut longer!
Why has this school not been closed ? Or has it ?
The Rover
says...
5:04pm Mon 22 Jun 09
sammy_babez wrote:Do you go to Queens School by any chance!
Harry H Hornet wrote: Why has this school not been closed ? Or has it ?queens skl has been shut apparently but only for a week! i fink the skl should be shut longer!
Phoenix Keeper
says...
5:20pm Mon 22 Jun 09
sammy_babez wrote:I fink the queens skl should be very proud of its English department!
Harry H Hornet wrote: Why has this school not been closed ? Or has it ?queens skl has been shut apparently but only for a week! i fink the skl should be shut longer!
newmanp@watfordboys.herts.sch.uk
says...
5:37pm Mon 22 Jun 09
cwensley
says...
5:57pm Mon 22 Jun 09
samgardner94 wrote:yeah sam u should pros get checked, i felt ill n all. im gonna get checked 2morro if i still feel bad. Anyeah after skl woz brill, the whole of south woz just shoutin "swine flu".
I go to Queens' and now I am really worried. I have been feeling sick lately. Does anyone think I should go to the doctors or is it nothing to worry about. Week off school though is brilliant. Everyone went mad.
tegank
says...
6:02pm Mon 22 Jun 09
michaelwoods
says...
7:29pm Mon 22 Jun 09
i've just finished by a-levels there and it's really odd to think that it's actually hit Queens'
Caroleena
says...
7:31pm Mon 22 Jun 09
lushleytattoo
says...
10:51pm Mon 22 Jun 09
wfc2009
says...
10:52pm Mon 22 Jun 09
I think that this is disgusting, and it is our right to be kept informed, as residents if there are outbreaks of the disease in our road.
The school has a responsibility to speak to the local residents, and it is our right to know if our health is at risk.
Stop this cover up and bring it out into the open.
asala01
says...
1:30am Tue 23 Jun 09
according to there website.
Harry H Hornet
says...
9:01am Tue 23 Jun 09
Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.
JETZ
says...
10:05am Tue 23 Jun 09
There is one thing that i am confused about. There were only half he people there normally were. queens school has a population of abut 1400 students and only half of them were in.at first i took it for granted that there were only half the students but, i thought about it a bit and thought to myself that doesnt make sense! i mean, i have friends who would never miss school for anything BUT THEY ARE 'ILL' i mean this cant just be coincedence, can it?
tegank
says...
11:13am Tue 23 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet wrote:seriously, that's just kind of immature, they closed the school to make sure all the swine flu has gone as it dies off surfaces in 3 days, so you want every one in the school to get swine flu even if they aren't ill??
They should have shut Queens for a week and not let anybody out. Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.
Swine flu isn't even that bad to be honest, yes it can kill but seriously thats only if you never get it treated and its that bad. its just like normal flu which can also kill.
How would you like it if some one you know had swine flu or even if you had it and was locked in somewhere and any body in contact with you had to do the same.
Dude, that's selfish.
pippa taylor
says...
12:44pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet
says...
1:05pm Tue 23 Jun 09
tegank wrote:So where are the kids that have been in contact with the infected person going to be for the next 7 days ? Spreading it around to infect even more people.
Harry H Hornet wrote: They should have shut Queens for a week and not let anybody out. Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.seriously, that's just kind of immature, they closed the school to make sure all the swine flu has gone as it dies off surfaces in 3 days, so you want every one in the school to get swine flu even if they aren't ill?? Swine flu isn't even that bad to be honest, yes it can kill but seriously thats only if you never get it treated and its that bad. its just like normal flu which can also kill. How would you like it if some one you know had swine flu or even if you had it and was locked in somewhere and any body in contact with you had to do the same. Dude, that's selfish.
Not selfish, practical.
Lock them in atreat them all.
Harry H Hornet
says...
1:07pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Garston Tony
says...
1:49pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Yes go to yuor GP but this panic is media led, closures are just a precaution and for 99.66666% of us there is nothing to worry about
JETZ
says...
1:49pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet wrote:No offence, but how would you like it if someone locked you in a school for a few days?
tegank wrote:So where are the kids that have been in contact with the infected person going to be for the next 7 days ? Spreading it around to infect even more people.
Harry H Hornet wrote: They should have shut Queens for a week and not let anybody out. Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.seriously, that's just kind of immature, they closed the school to make sure all the swine flu has gone as it dies off surfaces in 3 days, so you want every one in the school to get swine flu even if they aren't ill?? Swine flu isn't even that bad to be honest, yes it can kill but seriously thats only if you never get it treated and its that bad. its just like normal flu which can also kill. How would you like it if some one you know had swine flu or even if you had it and was locked in somewhere and any body in contact with you had to do the same. Dude, that's selfish.
Not selfish, practical.
Lock them in atreat them all.
You wouldn't would you
Treeh
says...
2:59pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet
says...
8:28am Wed 24 Jun 09
JETZ wrote:It would be no different to a boarding school. There are worse places to be locked up,and most kids would probably enjoy it.
Harry H Hornet wrote:No offence, but how would you like it if someone locked you in a school for a few days? You wouldn't would youtegank wrote:So where are the kids that have been in contact with the infected person going to be for the next 7 days ? Spreading it around to infect even more people. Not selfish, practical. Lock them in atreat them all.Harry H Hornet wrote: They should have shut Queens for a week and not let anybody out. Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.seriously, that's just kind of immature, they closed the school to make sure all the swine flu has gone as it dies off surfaces in 3 days, so you want every one in the school to get swine flu even if they aren't ill?? Swine flu isn't even that bad to be honest, yes it can kill but seriously thats only if you never get it treated and its that bad. its just like normal flu which can also kill. How would you like it if some one you know had swine flu or even if you had it and was locked in somewhere and any body in contact with you had to do the same. Dude, that's selfish.
Do doubt that you are enjoying an extra week off school in the sun.
My point being, that closing the school is a pathetic over reaction, that in the long term will cost the state a small fortune.
Its "Flu"
The 1400 pupils roaming the streets are in more danger than they would have been by being at school.
cheesenpickle
says...
10:45am Wed 24 Jun 09
JETZ
says...
11:09am Wed 24 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet wrote:Well. yea it would be like a boarding school but come on how would the students feel if you put them in a school for a week. i mean, have you gone to a boarding school?
JETZ wrote:It would be no different to a boarding school. There are worse places to be locked up,and most kids would probably enjoy it.
Harry H Hornet wrote:No offence, but how would you like it if someone locked you in a school for a few days? You wouldn't would youtegank wrote:So where are the kids that have been in contact with the infected person going to be for the next 7 days ? Spreading it around to infect even more people. Not selfish, practical. Lock them in atreat them all.Harry H Hornet wrote: They should have shut Queens for a week and not let anybody out. Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.seriously, that's just kind of immature, they closed the school to make sure all the swine flu has gone as it dies off surfaces in 3 days, so you want every one in the school to get swine flu even if they aren't ill?? Swine flu isn't even that bad to be honest, yes it can kill but seriously thats only if you never get it treated and its that bad. its just like normal flu which can also kill. How would you like it if some one you know had swine flu or even if you had it and was locked in somewhere and any body in contact with you had to do the same. Dude, that's selfish.
Do doubt that you are enjoying an extra week off school in the sun.
My point being, that closing the school is a pathetic over reaction, that in the long term will cost the state a small fortune.
Its "Flu"
The 1400 pupils roaming the streets are in more danger than they would have been by being at school.
Spencer Agneau
says...
11:20am Wed 24 Jun 09
That is a far more dangerous than a bought of swine flu. Stop panicking. Many more people die on our roads every year than are likely to die from Swine Flu.
Jordanw
says...
11:59am Wed 24 Jun 09
A lot of people were ill though. I heard that only 58% of people came in that day, and after the 3rd lesson I saw a queue of people outside Matrons office feeling sick. I think a lot of people might have caught it.
cheesenpickle
says...
12:01pm Wed 24 Jun 09
bob1234
says...
12:20pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Harry H Hornet wrote:You say it’s an over-reaction, but then you propose locking students into the school....
JETZ wrote:It would be no different to a boarding school. There are worse places to be locked up,and most kids would probably enjoy it.
Harry H Hornet wrote:No offence, but how would you like it if someone locked you in a school for a few days? You wouldn't would youtegank wrote:So where are the kids that have been in contact with the infected person going to be for the next 7 days ? Spreading it around to infect even more people. Not selfish, practical. Lock them in atreat them all.Harry H Hornet wrote: They should have shut Queens for a week and not let anybody out. Another weeks holiday for the teachers, with full pay.seriously, that's just kind of immature, they closed the school to make sure all the swine flu has gone as it dies off surfaces in 3 days, so you want every one in the school to get swine flu even if they aren't ill?? Swine flu isn't even that bad to be honest, yes it can kill but seriously thats only if you never get it treated and its that bad. its just like normal flu which can also kill. How would you like it if some one you know had swine flu or even if you had it and was locked in somewhere and any body in contact with you had to do the same. Dude, that's selfish.
Do doubt that you are enjoying an extra week off school in the sun.
My point being, that closing the school is a pathetic over reaction, that in the long term will cost the state a small fortune.
Its "Flu"
The 1400 pupils roaming the streets are in more danger than they would have been by being at school.
zaro
says...
6:09pm Wed 24 Jun 09
The Rover
says...
6:14pm Wed 24 Jun 09
zaro wrote:Are you sure you have 2 kids going to Girls Grammar? If you do you need to improve your grammar!
i feel so disgusted about girls grammar school, two of my kids have been treated with tamiflu for suspected swine flu and they haven't done nothing to prevent it from catching on to the other kids. they haven't even closed the school!
JETZ
says...
11:25am Thu 25 Jun 09
Accurate newsman
says...
4:07pm Sun 28 Jun 09
MumJ
says...
4:25pm Mon 29 Jun 09
sammy_babez says...
4:10pm Mon 22 Jun 09