(Milford)– Absentee rates due to illness are starting to increase at area schools. And Bob Miller, Superintendent of the Okoboji School District, tells KUOO news it’s safe to assume most of that is due to H1N1. He says the seasonal flu has yet to hit.
Most students out sick have been exhibiting symptoms similar to those of H1N1. And Miller says there have been atleast two confirmed cases of H1N1 in the Okoboji schools.
Miller says as of this (Wed.) morning, nearly 18 percent of the Middle School student body was out sick.
He says 70-some students in the elementary were absent due to illness, with less than that at the high school.
Numbers for Spirit Lake weren’t immediately available, but officials there and at many other schools throughout the area are seeing increases in sick students as well.
Miller says the Okoboji District plans to stick by recommendations from the Iowa Department of Public Health to NOT close schools due to illness.
