4 known illnesses blamed for high number of school absences
CHESTER COUNTY, Tenn.–School officials in Chester County think multiple illnesses are to blame for low attendance. On an average day East Chester Elementary school said they have about 12 students out. The school reported more than 50 students as sick or sent home with a fever Wednesday. “Right now we’re sending kids home if they say, ‘I don’t feel well,” Principal Kim Scott said. Scott said some students are showing symptoms of sickness, but not running a fever, “but then going to the doctor and testing positive for strep and flu,” she said. Scott said pink eye and a stomach virus are also to blame for the number of empty desks. School nurse Kari Perry said parents need to look closer at students with symptoms. “If they got sick the night before or they run a fever the night before, don’t just give them Tylenol and chance it the next day because we usually see it within that first hour or two,” she said. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are stocked in classrooms, according to school staff. “Anytime we know that a kid has been in that area, we’re really good about spraying and wiping stuff down,” Perry said. Perry recommends a 24-hour waiting period before students return to school. She said it is best if they can go a full day without any symptoms or medication.
