Church, schools deal with flu

New Zealand's Catholic community has become the latest group affected by the swine flu outbreak.

Yesterday, Bishop Denis Browne, president of New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, directed parishes to limit the distribution of holy communion.

"Because large, public gatherings take place in churches, we feel it is important to take steps to manage the potential risk to the whole community."

The use of the chalice will cease and the wafer will be received on the hand only. The bishops have suggested that people who are unwell stay at home rather than attend Mass.

"We have asked that 'anointing Masses' cease as many who attend these are elderly or sick and therefore more vulnerable when they gather as a community," he said.

However, people could still be individually anointed in their homes.

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in New Zealand rose to 127 yesterday, up from 109 on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health says New Zealand is still in the containment phase but planning is under way to move to a "manage it" phase when required.

A Rimutaka Prison unit housing about 50 inmates has been put in quarantine over a suspected outbreak of swine flu.

Corrections Department health manager Bridget White said that three inmates in the low security unit were sick with suspected influenza A (H1N1) and had been isolated in their cells at the direction of public health officials. One had been tested so far.

"Any prisoner confirmed as being infected will be treated with Tamiflu," she told the Dominion Post.

Bairds Mainfreight Primary in Otara will remain closed until Monday after there was a confirmed case at the school.

Year 12 students at Westlake Girls will be returning to class tomorrow. The ABC Learning Centre in Meadowbank, which closed last week, has also reopened.

Rotorua Boys High school has decided to remain open despite one Year 11 boy being confirmed as having swine flu.

A number of Auckland schools contacted by the Herald reported higher than normal absentee numbers as students were encouraged to stay home if they were feeling unwell.

Mt Roskill Grammar, Massey High School and Epsom Girls Grammar said they were following Ministry of Health guidelines and watching for updates.

The schools have reminded parents and students about hygiene requirements and to keep sick children at home.

Paul Daley, vice-president of the Secondary Principals' Association, said schools are preparing for the worst-case scenario.

"They're hoping they can hold out for the next two weeks."

Swine flu has also put pressure on community health services.

Dr Jonathan Fox, president of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said there had been an increase in the number of both visits and phone calls to practices.

He said GPs might need to cut routine health checks that could be postponed without compromising the patients' care.

- CHRISTOPHER ADAMS