Saturday, May 16, 2009

Swine Flu News Story - Closed School

Here is a translation of a news article in the Guayaquil newspaper "Expreso" announcing the closing of our school, Colegio Americano, due to the Swine Flu Outbreak.

"Cellular text messages calls were used by students of Colegio American to alert their parents of the presence of an outbreak of the virus AH1N1 in the institution. Near 10:00, and while an assembly was ongoing to choose the student leaders, the presence of the authorities of Education and Health of the Coast it interrupted the activities. The representatives of the Government informed the school administrators of the infection, tens of family parents arrived at the facilities to retieve their children. At 11:00 it was unusual to see as much activity at the entrances of the school. The constant traffic of vehicles drew attention of the passers-by, who prior to this had been ignorant of the situation. After the official news was announce, the students were held at the stadium of the institution. There, a brigade of the Ministry of Health explained the situation and gave instructions on what to do in case of presenting/displaying symptoms. The authorities of the school gave an official notice in closing of the establishment for 8 days. Also one of the representatives asked students, “like an act of citizen responsibility”, to stay in house and to avoid contact with third parties or to be in public places for 8 days, time that is for delay in the virus in presenting/displaying symptoms. In case of suspecting the contagion, it was requested for students to contact the Ministry from Health or authorities of the Colegio Americano."

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