Jun 4, 2009 11:21 am US/Eastern
Orange County School Faces Increased Absences
Superintendent Cites Influx Of Flu-A Cases, But No Swine
CENTRAL VALLEY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
An Orange County school experienced a significant jump in absences this week after numerous students called out with flu-like symptoms.
Monroe-Woodbury Middle School experienced a 6 percent increase in absences this past Monday as Superintendent Joseph DiLorenzo cited an influx of Influenza A.
DiLorenzo sent a letter to parents, faculty and staff that stated the school normally has 6 percent absence rate, but the number increased to 12 percent, totalling 220 absent students. He also wrote that there were no confirmed cases of swine flu in the district.
The letter further states that it was their "understanding" that students were sick with the flu based on phone calls from parents.
The district is maintaining contact with the Orange County Health Department to ensure that every precaution is taken.
"The health department is not advising that we close our schools," DiLorenzo wrote. "However, as a precaution we will continue to monitor attendence in all schools and review our cleaning procedures."
Dr. Alon Harawic of Monroe Pediatric Associates PC estimated that his office had handled about 40 flu cases since May 15.
"We haven't had any serious cases," Harawic said. "If I had a patient, I'd admit him, but we haven't had anyone [who] needed to be admitted."
Monroe-Woodbury Middle School has a student population of over 1,700.
For a copy of the letter, head to the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
Web site.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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