Associated Press - October 14, 2009 7:54 AM ET
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Springfield school officials have closed Delaware Elementary school for nearly a week after after absences related to the flu reached 30%.
Parents were asked on Tuesday to keep their children at home until Monday.
Besides its high rate of absences, Delaware was closed because many of its students have special needs, who are particularly susceptible to the flu.
Kevin Gipson, Springfield-Greene County Health Department Director, said some of the students have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or other medical issues.
He says he recommended closing the school based on Centers for Disease Control guidelines for dealing with flu among high-risk populations.
While Delaware students are home, the district will clean and disinfect classrooms, bathrooms, doorknobs and drinking fountains.
Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com
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