The high number of seasonal illnesses is prompting some schools in the Tri-State region to close due to sick teachers, students, and staff. The Edgewood City School District announced that it will be closed for the rest of the week with classes resuming on February 10.
Ohio’s flu activity has reached “very high” levels compared to other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health. Mount Auburn Urgent Care nurse practitioner Kaishia Robbins reported that the urgent care center saw a surge in patient numbers, with 46 patients visited on Monday alone, more than half of whom had flu and COVID-19 testing.
The Edgewood City Schools have struggled with respiratory infections since the start of the year, with up to 24% of staff and students absent at one time. Superintendent Kelly Spivey attributed the difficulties in managing the situation due to viruses that do not respond to antibiotics.
As a result, Newport Independent Schools announced that it will transition to Non-Traditional Instruction for February 4 and 5 due to a rise in flu and stomach virus cases leading to low attendance. The peak of flu season typically ends in early to mid-March, with hospitals reporting 65 people hospitalized in southwest Ohio and 154 in central Ohio as of last week.
Source: https://www.fox19.com/2025/02/05/more-tri-state-schools-announce-closures-nti-days-due-illness