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NATCHEZ — Rising illness in the area has forced some schools to close in recent weeks.

All classes in Franklin County School District were canceled on Monday, Feb. 10, due to heavy numbers of students and staff members being sick, Superintendent Chris Kent announced.
Classes resumed on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

School officials of Adams County and Concordia Parish said no schools in the county or parish have had to close, but high rates of illness have been noted.

“We have been fortunate to not have to close, but we are aware that cases are high,” said Natchez Adams School District Public Engagement Coordinator Tony Fields.

Cases of flu were high enough in Monterey that the school there was given the option to close in mid-January, Concordia Parish School District Superintendent Toyua Bachus said.

“Being a close-knit community, Monterey had 75 out with the flu on Jan. 14. Deep clean after school but we did not have to close. We did give the administrator that option.”

Fields and Bachus said whether they have to send students home or not depends on how widespread the illness is and whether or not they have enough staff to cover the classrooms. We listen to our school nurses and follow their recommendations if we have to close,” Bachus said. “Last year was the first since I’ve been an administrator that we haven’t had to at all.”

With cases of flu and other illnesses on the rise, the Mississippi Department of Health recommends getting a flu vaccine for those who have not already.

Flu shots for children under 18 and for under-insured adults are now available at county health departments. Call 855-767-0170 for an appointment or information.

Other precautions include staying home when sick until you are free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications; regularly washing hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available and routinely cleaning high touch areas.