Swine flu continues relentless march through Boston schools

The Boston Public Health Commission today announced a seven-day shutdown for the Boston Renaissance Charter School on Stuart Street, effective tomorrow, due to "unusually high levels of influenza-like illness in recent days."

The commission says an average of 182 students have missed class over the past three days - out of a student body of 1,200. One student and one teacher have confirmed cases of swine flu, the commission reports.

School students and staff are asked to stay away from public activities over the next week.

Boston Renaissance is the eighth Boston school shut due to a suspected swine-flu outbreak.