Flu prompts closure of schools nationwide
By The Associated Press
Comments 
0
Published: October 29, 2009
CHICAGO — Across the country, schools are closing by the dozen as officials say they’re being hit so hard by swine flu that they feel shutting down for a few days is the only feasible option.
The U.S. Education Department says at least 351 schools were closed last week — affecting 126,000 students in 19 states. So far this school year, about 600 total schools have temporarily closed. The number of closures this year appears on target to surpass the roughly 700 schools closed last spring when the swine flu outbreak first hit. Flu season hasn’t peaked yet, and each day more schools are closing across the country. The superintendent of Connecticut’s Middletown Public Schools system says a middle school closed for the rest of the week after 120 students stayed home sick Monday.
Related Topics:
Health and Fitness, Domestic Policy, Social Policy, Political Policy, Politics, Education, Elementary and High School Education, Education Issues, Contagious and Infectious Diseases, Influenza, Education Policy, Swine Flu
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).