New York City closing schools to deal with flu

NEW YORK -- New York City has closed three schools to deal with another swine flu outbreak.

An official familiar with the situation said the decision affects three public schools in Queens. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the shutdown has not been announced.

A Health Department spokeswoman says four students and a staff member have tested positive for swine flu at one school. The staff member is critical. She said hundreds of students have been out sick with flu symptoms at the other schools in recent days.

A private school in Queens was the epicenter of the nation's outbreak, with 77 of the city's 167 confirmed cases.