AT LEAST four more schools in the borough have reported having swine flu.

There are cases in Haydon School, Wiltshire Lane, Eastcote, Northwood School, Potter Street, Northwood Hills, Harefield Academy, Northwood Way, Harefield, and a teacher at Uxbridge High School, The Greenway, Uxbridge, also has it.

On Monday (6) Hillingdon PCT reported that there were 14 confirmed cases of swine flu in Hillingdon.

All the schools have remained open, following guidance from the Helath Protection Agency, but people showing signs of the flu are advised to stay at home.

Chris Jowett, a local GP who is chairman of NHS Hillingdon Professional Executive Committee, said: “Given the small numbers of people in Hillingdon with swine flu, there should be no cause for undue concern to the public. Those confirmed with swine flu have had mild symptoms and responded well to treatment.

“The NHS has moved into the treatment phase of its swine flu plan. Now we know that it is established there is little point in confirming someone has it if they have the symptoms. Where someone has the symptoms they will be offered treatment with antiviral drugs. We are well stocked with Tamiflu.”

“A number of schools have reported having students with flu symptoms, but unless there is a considerable outbreak which means the school cannot function, the Health Protection Agency is advising that schools stay open. This pragmatic approach means that the vast majority of children in school, who are well, can continue their schooling, and any inconvenience to working parents, who would have to take time off work to look after their children if schools were closed, is minimised.”