Hong Kong has confirmed its first cluster of local cases of human swine flu, which means all primary schools, kindergartens, childcare centres and special schools will close for 14 days, from tomorrow until June 25.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang made the announcement today after a meeting of the steering committee on the fight against the pandemic.

"The steering committee just confirmed the first cluster of local cases of human swine flu. Twelve students of St Paul's Convent School have been confirmed to have the virus. We are unable to identify the source of infection, therefore they are indigenous cases," Mr Tsang said.

"We now migrate from the containment phase to the new mitigation phase."

Flu remedy: Chief Executive Donald Tsang (left) announces the school closure, while Secretary for Education Michael Suen (centre) explains the details. Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow urges people with flu symptoms to stay home.

The Education Bureau will inform parents about the suspension of classes through the schools. The bureau and the Department of Health will monitor the situation daily. They will decide whether or  not classes will resume after the 14-day period.

8 flu clinics to open 

The Hospital Authority will open eight designated flu clinics for patients with flu-like symptoms starting on Saturday. It may open up to 18 clinics throughout the city if necessary.

The eight flu clinics are: Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Clinic, Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic, Central Kowloon Health Centre, Kowloon Bay Health Centre, South Kwai Chung Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic, Yuen Chau Kok Clinic, Fanling Family Medicine Centre and Yan Oi General Outpatient Clinic.

Mr Tsang said it is inevitable Hong Kong would have local cases but urges the public not to panic.

"I'm sure all citizens and the Government have done all we could to postpone the arrival of the first indigenous case," he said.

"The Government will continue to be vigilant and fully prepared for the worst. There is no need for the public to panic but they must stay alert and pay high attention to personal and community hygiene.

"To win this fight against human swine flu, we must unite and work wholeheartedly together. We can do it."

Schools arrangements

Secretary for Education Michael Suen says his bureau will make an announcement about whether or not schools will re-open on or before June 23.

The Territory-wide assessment system originally scheduled for June 17 and 18 will be cancelled. The bureau will not reschedule it.

Noting most schools have finished their internal examinations, Mr Suen said those that have not can finish the rest of the exams if classes resume on or before July 10.

If classes do not resume by July 10, there is no point in making arrangements for schools' internal examinations after that date, he said.

As the internal assessment results in the second term of primary five will be used for secondary school places allocation purposes, schools and parents have concern over the examination arrangements of P5 students.

If classes cannot resume by July 10, Mr Suen said his bureau will consider making special arrangements for conducting P5 second term exams between July and early September, on the advice of health authorities. The Government will inform schools and parents of the final arrangements in advance.

Smokers urged to quit

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow advises those who feel unwell with flu symptoms not to take aspirin, unless prescribed by doctors.

He also calls for people to quit smoking in order to lower the risk of getting respiratory tract infections.

"All public events can continue but the organisers should ensure the hygiene of the venues and they should urge the participants to pay attention to personal hygiene," Dr Chow said.

"Parents should keep an eye on the health of their kids. Children should not share towels or toys and avoid contacting other kids if they don't feel well.

"Pregnant women, the elderly and people with prolonged diseases should avoid contacts with flu patients.

"People with flu symptoms should stay home and if they must go out, they should wear a mask. Public transport and public organisations should tighten the hygiene measures and encourage their staff to pay attention to personal hygiene."

3 more imported cases confirmed

Director (Quality & Safety) of the Hospital Authority Dr Leung Pak-yin said the eight designated flu clinics will operate from 9am to 5pm daily and each can handle 120 cases a day.

"Depending on the need, we will open more flu clinics, up to 18, or extend the operation hours," Dr Leung said.

"Three types of patients will be admitted to hospital if they come to the flu clinics with flu symptoms. They are women who are 20 weeks or more pregnant, children aged under two years, and patients with severe breathing problems."

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said the mother and younger brother of the 16-year-old St Paul's Convent School student who was confirmed to have the virus yesterday tested negative for the virus.

The centre today confirmed three more imported cases, bringing the total number of known human swine flu cases in Hong Kong to 63.

The patients are a 43-year-old man who returned from London yesterday on flight BA25, a 16-year-old girl who lives in San Francisco and arrived in Hong Kong today on flight SQ1, and a 20-year-old woman who arrived from Zurich on flight LX138 on June 7.

The Department of Health will suspend the school dental care service for primary students and student health service for primary and secondary students from tomorrow until further notice.

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department will temporarily close children's playrooms, the Toy Library and Children's Multimedia Room at Central Library, and the Children's Discovery Gallery at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, starting tomorrow to June 25.

In addition, sports, recreational and cultural activities organised for children, and classes and activities organised by the Music Office in which children  participate will also be suspended until June 25.