Swine flu cases rise above 150

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Scotland has 13 new confirmed cases of swine flu, bringing the total number of cases to 154.

There are two in Fife, three in Forth Valley, five in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and three in Highland NHS Boards.

There have been no developments concerning the health of any of the hospital cases, including a woman who gave birth prematurely.

Her baby was born on Monday afternoon, at 29 weeks' gestation, in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

The baby is in intensive care but is stable.

The 38-year-old mother, who is said to be critically ill, is one of several people in hospital with the virus.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Most of the cases we've seen this week are associated with two particular clusters - one in south Glasgow and one in Dunoon - so though numbers have increased fairly dramatically, it is still relatively localised."

"That said, this is a virus, it's a flu outbreak, it will continue to spread.

"We're working hard to slow down that spread and it will eventually run its course."

Schools closed

Seven Scottish schools are now closed because of swine flu.

On Friday, Lochgoilhead Primary and Dunoon Grammar closed for seven days.

Third year pupils from Dunoon Grammar had already been excluded from classes.

In addition, Kirn Primary, Innellan Primary, Toward Primary, Appletrees Nursery in Rothesay are closed and Annette Street Primary in Glasgow is closed until Tuesday.

Third year pupils at Paisley Grammar School have been sent home for seven days.

Scottish children's entertainers The Singing Kettle have been forced to postpone a show for 500 children in Dunoon, owing to the outbreak of swine flu in the town.

The concert was due to take place at Queen's Hall on Saturday afternoon, but has now been postponed until 6 September.

The number of cases of swine flu in Scotland has risen seven-fold in a week, and the country accounts for a quarter of all cases of the virus in the UK.