ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Spreading respiratory illnesses have caused at least three schools in the region to close for several days this week.
Natural Bridge Elementary School in Rockbridge County announced on Thursday afternoon that its already three-day-long closure would extend into Friday, as school officials say that approximately one-third of students and staff have been impacted by flu-like illnesses.
“Late last week we started to notice an uptick in absenteeism,” said Rockbridge County public school division superintendent Phillip Thompson. “Then on Monday, there was quite the uptick of our staff members as well.”
Thompson said that between last Friday and Monday, there were over 70 visits made to the nurse’s office.
In Franklin County, two schools were forced to close on Thursday and Friday to address similar illnesses.
Snow Creek Elementary School said that around 30% of students have recently been absent with flu-like symptoms.
At Christian Heritage Academy, the staff has been hit harder.
“We’re sitting at 44 percent of faculty and staff either have flu-like symptoms or are needing to stay home with family members who have those flu-like symptoms,” said Head of School Josh Smallwood, who acknowledged there are a number of teachers with children who attend the school.
Smallwood said that by Wednesday, the student absentee list had grown to about 16% of the school’s 343 students.
All three schools are hoping the time off coupled with the weekend will provide enough time for all students and staff to recover.
In the meantime, they are taking the opportunity to deep clean and sanitize the schools while they are mostly empty.
“Our teachers who are able to are coming in and wiping down everything from flat surfaces to lockers to handrails to stairways,” said Thompson.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, respiratory illnesses are trending back up in the state after peaking in the final week of December.
Among respiratory illnesses, flu cases have contributed the most to the rise, primarily impacting children aged five-to-17.
Cases had been declining throughout January until the past week, when the number of cases jumped ahead of this time last year.
“This is the first time when it’s been a flu season that it’s hit us this hard,” said Thompson. “It’s hitting all our schools. Natural Bridge is not alone. It just seems like it’s hitting Natural Bridge with a lot more intensity all at one time.”
With Natural Bridge Elementary extending its closure through Friday, it will be at least Monday before any of the three impacted schools can return to class.
In the meantime, they are hoping the break will give everyone the time needed to recover and put the worst behind them.
“We just look forward to having everybody back on Monday and pray that they’re stronger and healthier when they get here,” said Smallwood.