Many schools in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties are still struggling as more flu cases roll in.
According to Viral View, a website managed by the Oklahoma Department of health, the state is at high risk for influenza, and moderate risk for COVID-19 and RSV. COVID remains at a regional spread, but influenza and RSV are widespread.
As of the week ending Jan. 25, 34.3 percent of influenza tests have returned positive. In Region 6, which includes Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties, out of 2,782 tests, 898 were positive for influenza A and 15 were positive for influenza B.
In Davenport, they had 61 elementary students, 21 junior high students and 26 high school students out on Jan. 30, according to Principal Misty Emmons.
“This week was definitely worse than last week,” she said. It was a variety of the flu, strep, COVID-19 and stomach viruses.
Davenport Superintendent Danny Acord said they were not able to play at Olive with elementary and junior high basketball last Monday and he isn’t sure if they can find a date to reschedule since basketball playoffs are rapidly approaching.
“Fortunately, we were able to get the rest of our games in last week, even though we were not even close to 100%,” he said.
McLoud Superintendent Rhonda Hockenbury said attendance was better last week than the week before, when they had 15 to 20 percent gone across the district. She also said that the flu has been much worse this year, probably the worst she’s seen in her eight years at the district.
“Teachers seem to be fairing somewhat better than students, but when it hits, it hits hard. Most miss 3-5 days of work,” she said.
McLoud is currently rescheduling boys basketball with North Rock Creek from Friday. Hockenbury added that their head of custodial meets with custodians to remind them of some best practices and they do some evening and weekend fogging of buildings. She said classroom teachers also pitch in to keep surfaces clean and remind kids of good hand washing.
Chandler Superintended Scott Baade said their numbers were also worse. He said as of last Friday, their last count was 206 kids that were out. The school district went virtual on Monday due to the large number of cases.
“It hasn’t been this bad since I think, since I’ve been superintendent… so, of course, that hasn’t been very long,” he said, adding he’s currently in his third year. “I do remember times in the past, we’ve had rough seasons, but it kind of goes in cycles.”
Additionally, on Friday, they had about 12 teachers and staff call in, which is a little over 10 percent.
Wellston Superintendent Dwayne Danker said flu cases didn’t hit his schools very hard until about the middle of last week. On Jan. 31, they had 44 absences in the elementary school and 38 at the middle school and high school. They also had about three or four teachers out each day for the last few days.
Luckily, the illnesses haven’t impacted any club or sports activities. “Following the old tried and true recommendations will always help slow down the spread of flu: stay home when you are sick; wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water; and disinfect surfaces,” Danker said.