The Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School in San Fernando has been ordered to keep pupils away from a building that houses more than half the school’s population.

The order came yesterday from the Ministry of Health, following a third suspected case of the Influenza A/H1N1 virus at the school.

On Tuesday, two children from Standards Two and Three, who travelled abroad during the school vacation, were sent home after tests results for the Influenza A/H1N1 virus (swine flu) came back positive.

On Wednesday, several parents were called in to take home at least four children who showed flu-like symptoms.

The Ministry of Education yesterday said it was the Health Ministry which advised the temporary suspension of classes for pupils of Block 1 of the school, which houses the Second Year and pupils of Standards One to Four.

’The Ministry of Health, in advising on the temporary suspension of classes, has indicated that confirmatory tests are being undertaken on a third student who has displayed flu-like symptoms. The closure will affect 26 classes, while another 18 classes, which include SEA students, will not be affected,’ the release said.

The ministry said the closure of the block is a precautionary measure and advised parents and school staff to keep a close watch on children for flu symptoms and report it to the ministry.

Classes will resume as soon as the Ministry of Health gives the go ahead.

Carlos Lakhan, general secretary of the Presbyterian Primary School Board, yesterday said he spoke with the principal of the school just after lunch and she had assured him there were no problems at the school.

’As far as I know, things are back to normal. The principal is in constant contact with health officials so if anything does happen-more children get sick-they will be on top of things,’ he said.

A Parent Teachers Association (PTA) meeting was held at the school last evening to update parents on the issue. The school, among the most academically successful in the country, has an enrollment of 1,100.

As of Wednesday, there were 118 confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 recorded in Trinidad and Tobago.