Flu closes Sunnyside, Woodville Union elementary schools
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sierra View District Hospital has received numerous calls from those with questions about the swine flu. In response, hospital officials have set up a 24-hour automated hotline to answer the most common questions: The hotline number is 791-3703. The line is not handled in real time, but is a recording of answers to the most common questions about the outbreak of swine flu.
VISALIA – The Tulare County Department of Health has announced that two elementary schools in Tulare County have been closed for public health reasons. Sunnyside Elementary School in Strathmore and Woodville Union Elementary School in Woodville are both closed at this time.
“The decision was made to close these two schools for public health reasons,” said Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare County Public Health Officer. “At this time, we feel that it is in the best interest of these communities to close the schools while students are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.”
Tulare County officials discussed closing the schools with school officials Thursday night, and faculty and parents were notified of the closures via normal school procedure.
“Woodville Union Elementary School’s recommendation is based on an increased level of absenteeism and presence of H1N1 Flu in Tulare County,” Haught said. “Sunnyside Elementary School’s closure is based on CDC and state guidelines in dealing with students who have had contact to probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu.”
The Tulare County Health Department reminds residents that if you or anyone in your family is sick, you should stay home from work, and school, and seek the advice of your primary care physician.
As part of the Tulare County Department of Health and the California Department of Health’s efforts to provide updated information to residents on the H1N1 flu outbreak, there have been two information lines activated.
Tulare County Information Line has been activated, and is 1-800-834-7121. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) hotline phone number is 1-888-865-0564.
The Tulare County Department of Health will continue to provide timely information releases on this outbreak, and all actions taken. For more information on H1N1 Flu, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
For more information on H1N1 Flu in Spanish, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/espanol/.
-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.
