19 schools closed by H1N1 flu

May 1, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- More schools in the Chicagoland area have closed their doors as a result of the outbreak.

All five schools in the Homer School District were closed for cleaning on Friday after a suspected case of H1N1 flu at the junior high.

Also on Friday, Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood announced it will not re-open until May 11.

"Yesterday we received word we have one student that has a probable case of swine flu. The recommendation from the health department was to close," said Tony Sanders, District 246 spokesperson.

"They should get everybody in there to clean, have the teachers come in, bring a cleaning crew," said Susan Simone, parent. "I think they should close the schools until they figure out how to clean it up.

Three cases of the H1N1 flu have been confirmed in Illinois; 51 probable cases have been reported in the state. Chicago's health commissioner said transmission of the virus is now taking place "throughout the city of Chicago." However, no new schools in Chicago are closing.

Joyce Kilmer Elementary School in Rogers Park, which shut down earlier this week, is expected to remain closed through next week.

19 schools closed:

Chicago Christian Academy, 5110 W. Diversey, Chicago

St. Ladislaus School, closed on 5/1, will open on 5/4, 3330 N. Lockwood, Chicago

Richard Ira Jones Middle School, 15320 Wallin Drive, Plainfield The school will remain closed until Tuesday, May 5, 2009.

All Homer CCSD 33C schools will be closed.
Homer Jr Hs, 15711 Bell Road In Unicorporated Homer Glen
Hadley School, 15731 Bell In Unincorporated Homer Glen
Goodings Grove School, 12914 W 143rd St In Unicorporated Homer Glen
Luther J Schilling School, 16025 Cedar Road In Unicorporated Homer Glen
William J Butler School, 1900 Farrell Road In Unicorporated Homer Glen

Kilmer School, 6700 North Greenview, Chicago..

Marmion Academy 1000 Butterfield Rd Aurora, IL 60502

Rotolo Middle School in Batavia

-Batavia High School in Batavia

Haines Middle School in St. Charles

Ridge Circle Elementary In Streamwood-

Farragut Elementary School 701 Glenwood Ave. Joliet

Sator Sanchez Elementary School 1101 Harrison Ave Joliet

Fox Chase Elementary, 260 Fox Chase Dr North in Oswego

Thompson Junior High School, 440 Boulder Hill Pass in Oswego

Bednarcik Junior High School, 3025 Heggs Road in Aurora

"For those students who show symptoms of both a fever and a cough, we're going to asking schools to apply thermometer strips to the student's forehead," Ron Huberman, CEO Chicago Public Schools. "Over the weekend we will be distributing disposable thermometers to all schools."

CPS students with temperatures over 100-degrees will be sent home, according to Huberman.

Huberman added CPS student with temperatures over 100 degrees will be sent home. Back in Streamwood the decision to close this school based on one probable case is being applauded

On Friday, Illinois officials discouraged unnecessary H1N1 tests.

Damon Arnold said they aren't necessary for people with mild flu symptoms who have had no connection to likely sources of the strain. Arnold said unnecessary testing diverts resources from the more probable cases.

The H1N1 outbreak began in Mexico, where authorities have confirmed 343 swine flu cases and 15 deaths.

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