WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- At least 434 U.S. schools in 18 states were closed Friday to prevent the spread of the swine flu, forcing 245,000 students to stay home, officials said.
The U.S. Education Department said Friday's totals were up 40 percent from Thursday, with further closures expected, The Washington Post reported.
In the Washington area, officials in Montgomery, Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties announced three schools would extend existing closures to help isolate children exposed to likely cases of swine flu. Students at the schools were urged to avoid public places, the newspaper said.
New cases were found Friday at George Washington University and in Charles County, officials reported, making for a total of 17 probable or confirmed cases of swine flu in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia.
Maryland authorities told the Post that 67 additional new cases were awaiting further testing.
