Ads by Google Ads by Google

Schools in Samoa closed due to flu outbreak

Dr Aiono Alec Ekeroma

Apia, SAMOA — All schools in Samoa have been ordered to close for at least a week as officials race to contain a flu outbreak that has infected hundreds of children.

The Government announced that all state, independent and church schools were to be closed from Monday, May 1, until at least Friday, May 5.

Ministry of Education officials would be working to issue learning packages for children around the country; as well as making use of online resources and providing lessons on national television channels and radio stations.

Teachers and other staff carrying out duties on school campuses are also being encouraged to wear face masks and to keep a social distance.

At a press conference yesterday, Samoa’s director general of health Dr Aiono Alec Ekeroma said the number of cases of Influenza B reported had tripled in the last few weeks.

In the last week of March, a total of 519 children were identified as cases.

Figures taken in the last week, however, have seen up to 1500 children reporting into paediatrics care with the flu, he said.

The number of confirmed cases of flu have now reached more than 2400 - the majority being young children.

Read more at New Zealand Herald