Kentucky, Indiana schools hit hard with flu, COVID-19 and RSV ahead of Thanksgiving

Kentucky and southern Indiana schools are getting hit hard with the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus ahead of Thanksgiving.So many students are sick in Bullitt County Public Schools that classes were canceled on Tuesday.”It was a tough decision for us, but something that we felt like we had to do,” Superintendent Jesse Bacon told WLKY.He said student attendance dropped drastically on Monday to 88% district-wide, with some schools in the 70% range. According to Bacon, 192 staff members were out sick, with only 53% covered by substitutes.”That puts a major strain on the folks that we do have available, and it just eats into the quality of instructional and educational experiences that we can provide our kids,” Bacon said.Sickness isn’t just going around in Bullitt County. The LaRue and Shelby County school districts along with Silver Creek School Corporation in southern Indiana also closed or went to NTI Tuesday.Dr. Casey Lewis with Pediatrics of Bullitt County says the flu seems to be the most severe illness this year, and it’s spreading quickly.”We’re having a lot of kids that are coming in sick, and then two or three days later mom’s calling and brother’s sick or sister’s sick or someone else is already sick,” she said.That may cause concern for families looking forward to getting together for Thanksgiving.”If you’re testing positive and you’re going to grandma’s house and being in a closed room with 20 or 30 people, there’s a good chance you are going to spread it to them,” Dr. Lewis warned.The main message: If you’re sick, stay home.Meanwhile, schools are disinfecting classrooms to ensure a safe return for students and staff after Thanksgiving.”We hope that they take the time to relax, recharge, rejuvenate, get well, take care of themselves both mentally and physically so that we can get back on Monday and hopefully finish the fall semester strong,” Superintendent Bacon said.