Schoolchildren across the UK are happy to learn that they may be getting an extended holiday thanks to swine flu. The DCSF is indicating that should the swine flu outbreak get any worse, they might keep schools closed for longer than expected.

So far, 29 deaths are attributed to the pandemic in the UK. More than 1000 schools were affected last school year with outbreaks of the disease. In spite of the problem, most schools remained open at that time. The DCSF is considering closing them down instead and is monitoring the situation daily.

A DCSF spokesman described the situation as follows: “We expect that schools and early-years and childcare settings will reopen as usual, but at this time, we cannot be certain what the situation will be then; we will need to monitor developments over the summer, and take decisions based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term”

Cases of swine flu are on the increase worldwide as well as in the UK. Fifty two schoolchildren were recently quarantined in China after having contracted the disease in the UK. Airlines have instituted policies to prevent people suspected of having the disease from flying. There is hardly a segment of the population that has not been affected in someway by the disease.

According to the Department of Health, if cases continue rising at the same rate as today, by September the pandemic will reach its peak and approximately 30% of the entire population will have some form of the disease.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quote.  For more information on this story please visit their website.