Isle of Man struggles on despite flu absences

Published Date: 15 October 2009

A TOTAL of 372 pupils were absent from school on Wednesday, showing signs of flu-like symptoms.

Meanwhile 44 teachers and 34 support staff were off work with a variety of illnesses. The number of those with swine flu is unknown.

Douglas Council has put plans in place to enable its critical services to continue while the number of swine flu cases increases.

Extra staff have been trained to work at Douglas Cemetery, and council staff from other areas would be brought in to help with refuse collection, if staff were off sick.

It could also increase the operating times of the crematorium, the only one on the Island, from two to five days a week.

Council leader David Christian said that although the expected increase in cases had not been as severe as expected, it was important to be prepared.

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