Princeton Elementary School will remain closed through the end of the week after 64 students and staff members fell ill with respiratory and stomach ailments, Prince George’s County officials said.
School officials and the Prince George’s County Health Department decided on Tuesday after illness reports began to climb. Of the 64 people affected, 48 are students, and 16 are staff members.
A letter sent to parents outlined two sets of symptoms. Some individuals 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 as Sanitization Begins
Crews have begun cleaning and sanitising the building, focusing on high-touch surfaces in classrooms, restrooms and the cafeteria. Officials said the work follows a plan developed by county health leaders and the school system.
No in-person activities will be held, and all school-based and after-school programs are canceled for the rest 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 is safe to reopen.
Closing Of School Necessary to Break The Flu Cycle
Dr. Alexandra Yonts, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s National Hospital, said the outbreak points to an illness that is “very contagious.” Closing the school, she said, is a way to break the cycle of spread.
Yonts noted that young children are still learning good hygiene habits, which lets germs travel easily through classrooms. She also pointed to a wider trend: Influenza cases have jumped 400% in the past couple of weeks, and flu season is just getting underway.
Schools are common places for germs to spread because children spend long stretches together in shared spaces, such as classrooms, restrooms and lunchrooms.
What Parents Can Do To Keep Children Safe
Health leaders are asking parents to keep sick children home, watch for symptoms and make sure vaccinations are current, including flu and COVID-19 shots. Children who are up to date on vaccines are better protected against severe illness.
Yonts urged families to keep practicing the basics with their children: cover coughs, blow noses, throw away used tissues and wash hands afterward.
Health leaders also stressed that keeping a sick child home is one of the simplest ways to protect classmates and teachers, especially as flu season ramps up.
