52 British school kids quarantined in China
29 people in the UK have died of the disease so far
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Saturday, 18, Jul 2009 11:02
A total of 52 children visiting China on a school trip have been quarantined after four members of the group tested positive for swine flu.
The four people diagnosed with the disease have been taken to hospital while the remaining members of the group are under quarantine at a hotel in Beijing, according to the BBC.
29 people have died from the disease so far.
Yesterday, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson warned that a worst-case scenario of the spread of the disease would see 65,000 deaths from the virus this year, with the peak coming in September.
He added that children under the age of 14 were the most likely to be affected by the disease.
Meanwhile, the Department of Children, Schools and Families has hinted at the possibility of schools staying shut after the summer break if the spread of the disease worsens.
It's statement said: "We expect that schools and early years and childcare settings will reopen as usual, but at this time we cannot be certain what the situation will be then; we will need to monitor developments over the summer, and take decisions based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term."