The authority overseeing education in Saudi Arabia has announced a three-day suspension of classes in six schools after viral infection cases were detected, Gulf News reported. The mode of education has shifted to online teaching.

The suspension orders were given by the Education Department in Al Mithnab governorate, part of the Al Qassim region while acting on an alert from the health authority in the area of Northern Kharma about the spread of a seasonal flu viral infection among students and teachers of the schools.

The schools were being sterilised and in-person classes would resume on Sunday (tomorrow).

The media outlet reported that the virus was seasonal and that the decision was taken after a rise in infection cases.

Around 140 cases were recorded on the first day of infection and 70 others on the following day. Sources told Gulf News that the total infection cases among students and teachers were 300.

Health authorities in Al Qassim stated that the infection was not a “cause of worry and seasonal” and described the precautionary decision as “discretionary.”