Flu deep clean at college
Part of the City of Bath College has been closed after foreign students using it are suspected to have caught swine flu.
People are being turned away from the Ralph Allen building on the Avon Street campus while it is given a deep clean to stop the virus spreading further.
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college shut
The college has now broken up for the summer, but the facilities are being used by students from overseas and it was a group of these people who are thought to have contracted the illness.
A spokesman for the college said: “Although we don’t know whether these cases are actually swine flu, the college is taking the issue very seriously and will be closing the Ralph Allen building today to allow a thorough clean to take place. These are precautionary measures to minimise the possibility of the virus spreading.
“No other college buildings have been affected and the vast majority of the college’s students have finished for the summer and are no longer on site. Staffing levels are also lower than normal during the summer holiday period.
“The City of Bath College takes its responsibilities to students and staff very seriously.”
He added that guidance about the symptoms of swine flu and advice about how to avoid it spreading had been issued to staff and students.
There have also been posters put up around the college explaining how people can get more information.
Some of the visiting students have asked to be allowed to stay in the building while it is being deep-cleaned.
4 Comments
by Janet, City Centre
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:27PM
“Paul, the people being turned away were people that had no urgent business in that building. However 10 teachers and over 100 students were allowed in the building.”
by Julia, Bath
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:51PM
“It was my understanding that a flu virus can live outside the body for 48 hours tops so maybe just keeping the building closed for that time after the last "victim" left would ensure there is no virus left without any cleaning required. Sounds a bit panicky to me.”
by Paul Wiltshire, Deputy editor
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 11:31AM
“Janet: The information we've used has come from the college. First thing this morning, people were being turned away from that building - we know because we saw them. If that is no longer the case, we'll update the story.”
by Janet, City Centre
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 11:25AM
“I work at the College and can confrim that classes took place in the building you have pictured today and they will continue to take place all week. I can also confrim that not one single case of swine flu from any students studying at the college has been confirmed. Many students have been given Tamiflu but this is precautionary as anyone showing flu like symptoms is being issued with the drug.
Could you please check your information with the college principle and also the flu control unit at StMartin's Hospital.”