Swine flu increase 'as expected'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8088056.stm

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The Scottish Government has announced there are 35 new confirmed cases of swine flu, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 189.

Of the new cases, 22 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 10 are in NHS Highland (which covers Dunoon), two are in Lanarkshire and one is in Fife.

Of those, 11 are being treated in hospital.

Three patients remain in intensive care two of whom are in a critical but stable condition.

They are a 45-year-old man from Paisley and a 38-year-old Glasgow woman.

None of the other hospitalised cases are giving clinical cause for concern.

The confirmed cases include two healthcare workers at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital, bringing the total number of healthcare workers infected as a result of caring for a patient to five.

None of these people are seriously ill and all are recovering well.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Scotland is continuing to see an increase in cases of H1N1, which is in line with what we would expect to see with this virus and what has happened in other countries.

"We are continuing to do all we can to slow the spread of the virus and I would urge everyone to play their part by continuing to follow good hygiene practices, paying particular attention to hand-washing."

Schools closed

Seven Scottish schools are 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 and 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.