The confirmation of a case of the H1N1 Influenza A virus at the Exchange Presbyterian School in Couva yesterday panicked parents, who rushed to the school to take their children away.

It happened despite instructions by the Education Ministry that the school remain open, and that the teacher and classmates of the sick child be tested for the illness commonly known as ’swine flu’.

Roustan Job, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA), said, ’We spoke with our representative at the school and there is a child who tested positive for the virus. She showed symptoms since Monday, but they learned today that she has it.’

Job said since the child had been in contact with others, it was advised that parents take their children (in that particular class) to be tested, as well as the class teacher. Job said, ’A representative from the Ministry would have visited the school and had meetings with the staff. We informed our representative of the protocol we have agreed to, that the Ministry of Health is the authority that will advise on what steps should be taken.’

A school official yesterday said that classes at the school had not been suspended, but that the administration was awaiting further instructions from the Ministry on what was the next step.