Flu season has been tapering off the past couple of weeks. Although Newman Regional Health is reporting several confirmed cases of influenza, Emporia Public Schools reported fewer illnesses this week than in recent weeks.
Jami White, director of infection control and employee health at Newman, said the hospital has had quite a few cases of influenza. They’ve all been Type A.
“Eighty to 90 percent of those have been in college age or younger,” White said. “I would say the number (of cases) is average, but the age is younger than we see typically.”
White said many cases were mild.
“The majority we have not had to admit,” she said. “We’ve been able to treat them outpatient.”
In the schools, it’s a little bit different story. Jackie Murray, a registered nurse at Emporia High School, said the school has not been experiencing many flu-related absences lately.
“We’re pretty much doing OK,” Murray said. “Your typical surveillance, monitoring for symptoms and trying to educate (students) and keep them home if they are sick. So far so good. We’re doing pretty good.”
It’s the same story at Emporia Middle School. The school is actually reporting fewer than average absences this week.
Erin Krause, a registered nurse at Emporia Middle School, said she has not seen an unusual number of sick students this year.
“We’re seeing the typical sore throats and coughs and a few fevers,” Krause said. “February is typically the time of year where we see the most ill students. I don’t think we’re out of range for what’s normal.”
Cindy Francis, a registered nurse who goes to Walnut, Village and Timmerman elementary schools, said those schools are below its average for illnesses.
“Two or three weeks ago was the worst, but now we’re below average,” Francis said.
Riverside Elementary School also is reporting fewer illnesses. The office is down to one page of absences a day instead of the recent usual of four pages.