There are no plans as yet to delay the opening of Lambeth schools after the summer break to reduce the spread of swine flu.

Lambeth Council has said it will continue to follow advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and other agencies that schools should stay open.

Medical experts said last week “prolonged closures” could reduce the scale of the outbreak by 17 per cent, and at the pandemic's peak shutting schools could bring down the number of cases by 38-45 per cent.

But a Lambeth Primary Care Trust (PCT) spokesman said closing schools on public health grounds was unlikely to limit transmission of the virus because it was now so widespread.

The PCT has stopped counting the number of people, and schoolchildren, infected with swine flu because numbers are so high.

The spokesman said the new national pandemic service would help relieve the workload of GPs and other care professionals who had been dealing with the crisis.

Some have complained of being “swamped” by visits, and calls, from concerned residents.

The PCT also defended criticisms having only three “secret” collection points for Tamiflu in Lambeth, saying one was “well-placed” for the whole of Streatham and West Norwood.

A spokesman said: “We do not publicise the locations as people are directed to them only after NHS assessment. The Government has arranged appropriate stocks of Tamiflu in line with well-developed plans for a flu pandemic.”

He said the PCT would continue to review these arrangements.

The PCT spokesman said the HPA is also not currently advising school pupils with underlying health problems to stay away from school in September.

Two pupils from Brixton Hill special needs school, Livity, died after contracting the virus.

The school closed afterwards, but to allow pupils and staff to grieve, not for health protection reasons.

If you are concerned about swine flu call the pandemic flu service on 0800 1513 313 or for treatment call 0800 1513 100.

• See our swine flu section for the latest updates