CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The high number of seasonal illnesses is prompting some schools to close across the Tri-State due to sick teachers, students, and staff.
The Edgewood City School District announced Tuesday that schools will be closed for the rest of the week, with classes resuming Feb. 10.
Ohio is experiencing “very high” flu activity compared to other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health.
“We see people come in for upper respiratory symptoms, cough, chest pains, shortness of breath,” Mount Auburn Urgent Care nurse practitioner Kaishia Robbins told FOX19 NOW Tuesday.
The urgent care Robbins works at has seen patient numbers double on Monday alone.
“We saw 46 patients yesterday, and more than half of those were for flu and COVID testing,” Robbins said.
Superintendent Kelly Spivey explained that Edgewood City Schools have been battling respiratory infections since the beginning of the year.
As many as 24% of the staff and students were absent at one time, with the lowest absenteeism the district has seen so far being 18%.
“It is hard to manage just because with viruses, there’s no need for antibiotics,” Robbins said. “So, there’s over-the-counter things that can help, handwashing, making sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids.”
Newport Independent Schools announced that “due to a rise in flu and stomach virus cases leading to low attendance,” the district would transition to Non-Traditional Instruction for Feb. 4 and Feb. 5.
The peak of flu season usually ends in early to mid-March.
As of last week, 65 people were hospitalized for the flu in southwest Ohio, and 154 were hospitalized in the central part of the state.
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