More than 150 swine flu cases now in West Midlands

Jun 10 2009 By Edward Chadwick

Nineteen new cases of swine flu have been diagnosed across the West Midlands taking the toll to 161, the Health Protection Agency said today

The body said it could not confirm whether those struck down by the bug were pupils at six schools in Birmingham which have been affected by the outbreak.

One adult is recovering in intensive care at Birmingham City Hospital after contracting the H1N1 virus, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals trust said.

St James, Birchfield and Heathfield primary schools will not reopen until Monday after at least eight children were confirmed to have the virus.

All are close to Welford Primary School in Handsworth, which reopened last week after 96 pupils tested positive.

A fourth school, the private Darul Uloom Islamic High School and College in Small Heath, has been closed since Monday.

Two cases have been linked to Holyhead Secondary School, in Handsworth, although it has remained open.