Swine flu prompts hundreds of schools to close

By DON BABWIN (AP) – 14 hours ago

CHICAGO — Across the country schools are closing by the dozen as officials say they're being hit so hard by swine flu that they feel shutting down for a few days is the only feasible option.

The U.S. Education Department says at least 351 schools were closed last week alone — affecting 126,000 students in 19 states. So far this school year, about 600 total schools have temporarily closed.

The number of closures this year appears on target to surpass the roughly 700 schools closed last spring when the swine flu outbreak first hit. Flu season hasn't peaked yet, and each day more schools are closing.

The superintendent of Connecticut's Middletown Public Schools says a middle school closed for the rest of the week after 120 students stayed home sick Monday.