High absenteeism and significant influenza-like
illness reported at East Boston elementary school
BOSTON – Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced today that the James Otis Elementary School in East Boston will be closed for seven calendar days because of concerns about influenza. The school will be closed beginning tomorrow (June 4) and reopen on Thursday, June 11, because of unusually high levels of flu-like illness.
Dr. Johnson made the decision to close the school temporarily in consultation with the Boston Public Health Commission and Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Officials said they hope that the temporary closure will prevent new infections and avoid unnecessary illness.
With this announcement, a total of nine Boston Public Schools have been closed because of influenza concerns, including: Boston Latin School in the Fenway (reopened May 27), Umana Middle School Academy in East Boston (reopened May 28), Frederick Middle School in Dorchester (reopened May 29), O’Bryant School of Math & Science (reopened today),
Condon Elementary School (reopened today), and the Jackson/Mann K-8 School, Horace Mann School for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, which share a building in Allston, and the Eliot K-8 School in the North End (all three reopening June 8). Other public and private schools around the state also have been closed recently.
“We continue to work closely with the Boston Public Health Commission to monitor attendance and illness rates in every one of our 143 schools,” said Dr. Johnson. “In this case, with significant absenteeism among students and staff, many of whom are demonstrating flu-like symptoms, we have decided to close these building for the next week in order to reduce the risk of new infections.”
The Otis serves nearly 300 students in kindergarten through grade 5. Attendance rates have declined steadily this week, including 115 students and 8 staff out today, and another 10 children sent home sick. Follow-up calls to families confirmed that many of the students are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
City officials are advising Otis students and staff to stay at home for seven days and not to congregate at other sites. They also advise that those feeling ill follow up with their primary care provider. Persons without a primary care provider should call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050.
To minimize the spread of illness, the Boston Public Health Commission urges the public to:
· Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
· Stay home from work if you are sick, and keep your child home from school if he/she is sick.
· Contact your primary care physician or visit your local health center or hospital if you experience flu-like symptoms.
For more information, visit www.bphc.org/h1n1flu