School districts close because of illnesses

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – There’s another word for illnesses that some people aren’t familiar with: Malady. A malady is defined as an illness, disorder, or sickness that keeps people home from school and work.

We’ve all experienced illnesses in the past that’s kept us home for days, and now, they’ve permeated the classrooms of school districts forcing students to stay home.

Several districts are closed today because of widespread illnesses including Fayette County.

The district says they monitored absences all week, and continued to see a downward trend.

According to Fayette County Public Schools, student attendance was less than 90-percent at 19 of the district’s schools on Thursday.

Jessamine County school officials say they will also be closed today because of illness.

Russell Independent and Paintsville Independent Schools say they will be closed today as well.

According to Lexington-Fayette County Health Department official Kevin Hall, illnesses like the flu can be detrimental in schools.

” It causes the body to work overtime, trying to fight that infection,” said Hall. ” So if you have other illnesses and high risk groups, sendior adults, the very young, you could be at risk for serious injuries or fatalities from the flu.”

All of the school districts say sanitation crews will remain on duty cleaning and disinfecting the buildings today.