Princeton Elementary School will remain closed through the end of the week after 64 students and staff became ill with respiratory and stomach problems, Prince George’s County officials said.
School officials and the Prince George’s County Health Department made their decision Tuesday after reports of illness began to increase. Of the 64 people affected, 48 are students and 16 are staff.
A letter sent to parents described two sets of symptoms. Some people experienced flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat and body aches, while others reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
All in-person activities are canceled when disinfection begins
Teams disinfected the school focusing on high-touch areas such as classrooms, restrooms and the cafeteria. BY: UNSPLASH
Crews began cleaning and disinfecting the building, focusing on high-touch surfaces in classrooms, restrooms and the cafeteria. Officials said the work followed a plan developed by county health officials and the school system.
No in-person activities will take place and all school and extracurricular programs are canceled for the remainder of the week.
Before students and staff return, the school plans to introduce hygiene lessons, scheduled handwashing periods and monitored hygiene practices. Officials said they are working together to decide when the building can safely reopen.
School closures needed to break flu cycle
Symptoms ranged from fever, cough, sore throat and body aches to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. BY: UNSPLASH
Dr Alexandra Yontspediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s National Hospital, said the outbreak was a sign of a “highly contagious” disease. Closing the school, she said, is one way to break the cycle of spread.
Yonts noted that young children are still learning good hygiene habits, which makes it easy for germs to move around classrooms. She also pointed to a broader trend: Flu cases have jumped 400% in the past two weeks and flu season is only just beginning.
Schools are common places for the spread of germs because children spend long periods of time together in shared spaces, such as classrooms, restrooms, and lunchrooms.
What parents can do to keep their children safe
Officials urged parents to keep sick children home and stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines. BY: UNSPLASH
Health officials are asking parents to keep sick children home, monitor for symptoms and make sure vaccinations are up to date, including those for flu and COVID-19. Children who are up to date with their vaccinations are better protected against serious illnesses.
Yonts urged families to continue practicing the basics with their children: covering coughs, blowing noses, throwing away used tissues and washing hands afterward.
Health officials also stressed that keeping a sick child home is one of the easiest ways to protect classmates and teachers, especially as flu season intensifies.
Gn Health
