Schools remain open this week in Scottsboro and Jackson County, Alabama despite rising abesentees and the death of a student.
     The decision comes following the death of 12-year old Alex Garcia.
     He was a student at Collins Elementary.
     The boy appears to have been infected with the swine flu.
     The state department of public health made the call to keep the schools open...
     And administrators want parents to know they're taking every precaution possible.

Judith Berry\Scottsboro City School District:

"I know they're scared.  I'm a grandparent, and I have three grandchildren in the schools here and its not something you take lightly, but they're in school today and we're doing everything we can to keep them safe."

     And another child has also died this week.
     The five year old live in the Nashville area.
     Health officials can confirm that he died from swine flu.