Berea Community School closed because of flu

BEREA, Ky. (WTVQ)- Flu remains widespread in every state, but Hawaii. In Kentucky, it is considered an epidemic.

One Berea school has so many ill students and staff it has decided to shut its doors for the rest of the week.

Superintendent Dr. Diane Hatchett says students are home for the rest of the week so the school can undergo a deep clean.

Hatchett says on Wednesday 140 students out of 1,101 were absent. Flu is not the only illness to blame.

“Some kids have flu and strep throat or flu and stomach virus,” Hatchett said.

It is not just students.

“It’s also faculty and staff that have been hit. Several teachers. I mean, yesterday we even ran out of subs. We got so short because so many people were getting sick,” Hatchett said.

Many parents are happy for the time off to heal. It has been hectic at Hali Hartsock’s house.

“The cleaning, of course, I was up every hour with her checking her fever, making sure she was breathing okay,” Hartsock said.

Her first grade daughter has been out all week with flu A, the strain that has caused several deaths this year.

“As a mother, that has been the one thing that has ran through my mind the whole entire time. I’ve prayed to the Lord to keep her safe,” Hartsock said.

Luckily, her daughter has been fever free for almost 24 hours! The superintendent says she cannot wait until the kids come back Monday, hopefully strong, healthy, and ready to fill the halls with pirate pride.