MANILA, Philippines -- Five high school students in Laguna province have been infected with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced today. 

According to the DepEd, the five A(H1N1)-infected students were from the San Pablo National High School in San Pablo, Laguna. 

Because of this, DepEd Assistant Secretary Thelma Santos said the soap-making training supposed to be held in the school was cancelled.

The school already has 187 A(H1N1) cases, prompting school administrators to suspend classes until July 20.

"Of the 207 confirmed cases, most may have already been released but we have no information when or how many," the DepEd said of the total number of students in different schools infected by swine flu. 

The DepEd also reported that as of 5 p.m. yesterday, six public high schools, six public elementary schools and six private schools have been closed from July 10 to 20. 

The department also said that "throat swabbing" is still being done for suspected cases of swine flu in other schools in San Pablo, including Canossa College and Academia de San Ignacio de Loyola. 

The DepEd is also looking into reports of suspected swine flu cases in Samar.

Source: Dennis Carcamo, Philippine Star