Safe schools: Secretary for Education Michael Suen said the authority will closely monitor Influenza A H1N1 developments. Immediate and resolute actions will be taken if the situation worsens.

The Secretary for Education Michael Suen said today there is no need to close schools at this stage, unless the H1N1 Influenza A virus spreads.

The two taxi drivers who took the Mexican patient from the airport to Wan Chai's Metropark Hotels, and from Metropark to Ruttonjee Hospital, have been located.

The Mexican man, 25, was confirmed yesterday to be the city's first case of Influenza A H1N1, also known as human swine flu. He has been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and is stable.

Mr Suen said this evening they will help schools to step up anti-flu measures.

"So far there has been one imported case and the virus has not spread in the community. Therefore we've decided it is not the right time to close schools," he said.

"We will closely monitor the epidemic development. If it worsens, we will take immediate and resolute actions.

"We will help schools in carrying out anti-flu measures. Parents should take their children's temperature every day. If they feel unwell, they should stay home."

Taxi drivers located

Under Secretary for Food & Health Prof Gabriel Leung said they have located the two taxi drivers and are arranging medical checkups for them.

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said they have contacted 30 passengers who sat close to the Mexican patient on the China Eastern Airlines flight MU505. They are all being quarantined, while the other six had already left Hong Kong.

This evening, about 50 Metropark staff and guests had  yet to contact health authorities. The others are quarantined at the hotel while 12 are at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village in Sai Kung.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will clear trash around the hotel area more often.

Prof Leung thanked the hotel management, staff and guests for their full cooperation and promised to do the best to meet their requirements.

There were seven new reported cases today which needed follow-up tests. Two have been ruled out as H1N1 Influenza A, Dr Tsang said.

The Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said this morning the next seven days are crucial and the Government will not take any risks in preventing the virus from spreading in the community.

To ensure sufficient staff, the Hospital Authority has cancelled a medical conference scheduled for next Monday.

"We have sufficient supply of anti-flu medication and we have liaised with pharmaceutical companies to increase our stock," Dr Chow said.

Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragon Air have announced they will be supportive if staff want to wear a face mask on board.

The Department of Health urges travellers who took AeroMexico flight AM98 from Tijuana to Shanghai on April 29, or China Eastern Airlines flight MU505 from Shanghai to Hong Kong on April 30, or those who stayed in the Metropark Hotel on the same day and left, to call the hotline 2125 1111 so the health authority can investigate and provide medical treatment.