Schools have started to shut and prepare for swine flu tests, with nine students having tested positive for swine flu in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.

Most of the students are in Kasturba Hospital. They include seven girls, three of them sisters who go to RIMS International School, Juhu. The others comprise one each from J.B Vaccha School in Dadar, Dhirubhai Ambani School in Bandra Kurla Complex, Sinhaghad Insitutue in Lonavla (the student is in Mumbai on vacation), A.K Joshi School in Thane, Navi Mumbai Municipal School in Nerul and Apeejay School in Nerul.

RIMS School has been closed for 10 days, JB Vachcha for two weeks and Dhirubhai Ambani School till August 16.

Dr Deepak Paropkari, chief medical officer of health of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, said that Apeejay School and the municipal school will remain shut till August 14. All schools in Navi Mumbai have been asked to screen students.

“We are not insisting on keeping schools shut. It is the decision of the school. But if a student tests positive then we have asked the school to close his or her class,” said Dr Jayaraj Thanekar, executive health officer, BMC.

The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) is conducting short workshops at schools. “The main problem is lack of awareness,” PTA president Arundhati Chavan said.

Many schools, including Sir Cowasjee Jehangir High School, Tardeo, have issued circulars among parents asking them not to send their children if they exhibit any kind of swine flu symptoms. St Gregorios School, Chembur, cancelled its cricket team’s England tour.

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