Two new cases of swine flu in UK

Two new cases of swine flu, one a child, have been diagnosed in the UK, British health secretary Alan Johnson said today.

Johnson told MPs that the child now affected is a pupil at one of the five schools that have already closed.

Johnson said there was no evidence of “sustained” person-to-person transmission of the virus in this country.

However, he warned in a Commons statement: “This does remain a serious situation which could rapidly escalate.”

The new cases bring the UK total of those infected to 34.

Johnson told MPs a new alternative quick response system was being developed in case the outbreak escalates, before a dedicated flu helpline is opened in the autumn.

As schools remain closed as a result of the outbreak and GCSE exams begin, exam regulator Ofqual will meet today to discuss contingency plans for pupils disrupted by swine flu.

It is understood children could sit exams elsewhere, or, if they are sick with the virus, be awarded a grade based on papers or coursework they have completed.

Mr Johnson and Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson will give a further update on the outbreak later today.

Laboratory tests are being carried out on 390 people who may have the H1N1 virus, the Health Protection Agency said.

News of the new cases came as the first of five schools closed as a result of the outbreak prepared to reopen.

South Hampstead High School, in north west London, welcomed pupils back today.

Four other schools – Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon, Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, south east London, Downend School in South Gloucestershire, and the private preparatory Dolphin School in Battersea, south London, remain closed.

The fear of further closures as the exam season begins has prompted awarding bodies to consider other ways to grade pupils.

GCSE exams begin across the UK today, with a design and technology practical exam, from the OCR board, due to take place. It is not known if pupils at any of the affected schools are sitting this exam.

Schools hit by the illness are rescheduling exams or asking for special consideration for GCSE and A-level pupils.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokeswoman confirmed officials were working with Ofqual and the exam boards to put in place contingency plans.

She said: “Arrangements will be made on a case by case basis, so that all students are fairly treated.

“Basing final results on other evidence, like coursework or modules already completed (also known as special consideration), is just one contingency arrangement, and would only happen in specific circumstances where a student was unable to take a particular exam.

“This is a tried and tested system that exam boards use to award students grades if they are unable to take an exam for a given reason.”

Alleyn’s School, which closed after five Year Seven pupils were diagnosed with swine flu on Monday, said it is rescheduling A-level exams in art, biology and foreign languages for next week.