According to San Bernardino County’s Public Health Department, there are now four confirmed cases of the swine flu—now being referred to as H1N1 Influenza—within the County, and 17 probable cases that have yet to be confirmed. As a result, six schools—including four in the San Bernardino City Unified School District, a middle school in Colton, and Clement Middle School in Redlands—are closed, and scheduled to re-open next Monday. Symptoms of the H1N1 Influenza are similar to those of the common seasonal flu, which include cough, fever, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. Those with the virus should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to seven days following illness onset; children might be potentially contagious for longer periods of time. The County advises those who are sick to stay home from school or work, to reduce the risk of infection to others. It is still advised that all take precautionary measures, including frequent washing of hands; avoid touching eyes, ears and mouth; and, if coughing or sneezing, use a tissue.
Update: As of Tuesday evening, it was announced that the closed school sites will re-open as of May 6.
