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Source: http://www.ksbitv.com/news/62702137.html
Hundreds of Students Absent with Flu-like Symptoms
KSBI News
Story Created: Sep 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM CDT
Story Updated: Sep 29, 2009 at 6:56 PM CDT
"Overall, yes, the trend is up in terms of absences," said Steve Lindley, Putnam City Schools spokesperson.
At Putnam City Shools, the numbers are on the rise. More students and teachers are out sick with flu-like symtpoms.
"If students are home sick, the extent that they can, they can work on their school work at that time. Once they get back in Putnam City schools, they have a day for every day they were out in which to make up their work," said Lindley.
It's not just students. P.C. schools are also having to cover a number of teachers out as well, but officials said that hasn't been a problem.
"Right now we have a large pool of substitutes. In fact, we have even stopped taking applications at this point," said Lindley.
The Oklahoma City- County Health Department said the flu is spreading earlier this year so they're expecting to see the numbers go up.
"We anticipate a spike in the course of the young adults and children, especially with the H1N1 season," said H.R. Holman, spokesperson for the county health department.
Health officials want to make sure everyone knows to wash their hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough, and most importantly stay home if you're sick.
"As children go through the school day and they interact with the kids and things like that, there's a lot of instances where they'll come in contact with the flu virus and catch it that way," said Holman.
Meanwhile, schools are tracking the numbers of absences and said they'll decide on future measures when and if the flu gets too extreme.
"What we've tried to stress all along is that people need to be prepared, not panic. They need to be prepared, not scared," said Lindley.
Lindley said the P.C. school district has about 18,700 students. Of that, 6.7% were absent during the week of September 21-25, 2009.
The health department expects to get the H1N1 vaccine by the end of October 2009.
Hundreds of Students Absent with Flu-like Symptoms
KSBI News
Story Created: Sep 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM CDT
Story Updated: Sep 29, 2009 at 6:56 PM CDT
"Overall, yes, the trend is up in terms of absences," said Steve Lindley, Putnam City Schools spokesperson.
At Putnam City Shools, the numbers are on the rise. More students and teachers are out sick with flu-like symtpoms.
"If students are home sick, the extent that they can, they can work on their school work at that time. Once they get back in Putnam City schools, they have a day for every day they were out in which to make up their work," said Lindley.
It's not just students. P.C. schools are also having to cover a number of teachers out as well, but officials said that hasn't been a problem.
"Right now we have a large pool of substitutes. In fact, we have even stopped taking applications at this point," said Lindley.
The Oklahoma City- County Health Department said the flu is spreading earlier this year so they're expecting to see the numbers go up.
"We anticipate a spike in the course of the young adults and children, especially with the H1N1 season," said H.R. Holman, spokesperson for the county health department.
Health officials want to make sure everyone knows to wash their hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough, and most importantly stay home if you're sick.
"As children go through the school day and they interact with the kids and things like that, there's a lot of instances where they'll come in contact with the flu virus and catch it that way," said Holman.
Meanwhile, schools are tracking the numbers of absences and said they'll decide on future measures when and if the flu gets too extreme.
"What we've tried to stress all along is that people need to be prepared, not panic. They need to be prepared, not scared," said Lindley.
Lindley said the P.C. school district has about 18,700 students. Of that, 6.7% were absent during the week of September 21-25, 2009.
The health department expects to get the H1N1 vaccine by the end of October 2009.