The closure of schools would depend on the outcome of a meeting of the health and education authorities, who agreed to take measures against the threat of an H1N1 pandemic. H1N1 killed 16 people across the country last year. People with symptoms should go to health centers or public hospitals to be tested.

Julio Rodriguez, director of Metropolitan Region of Health, said that 40 percent of absenteeism because of respiratory illness is reason enough to suspend classes for at least seven days.

Meanwhile, Rosana Sanchez, an epidemiologist from Social Security, announced that they will be vaccinating people against influenza beginning April 26th. The specialist said that the priority will be health workers, pregnant women and people who have had chronic illnesses for over three years.

She added that Social Security has the staff and an area specifically designed to receive patients suspected of the deadly virus.