Petersburg, VA (WTVR) – Petersburg Public Schools are sending out robocalls to parents, letting them know about an increase in flu cases.
Nicole Bell, spokeswoman for Petersburg Public Schools, says that 36 students have been diagnosed with the flu since the beginning of the year. Nearly 200 students have been absent or sent home with flu-like symptoms.
The district is asking parents to take their kids to the doctor if they have symptoms, and to get a flu shot. [Read: ‘Can the flu shot give you flu’ and other flu shot questions]
Teachers are also being asked to teach good hygiene practices like hand washing and using a tissue when sneezing. [Read: 5 ways to protect your child in flu season]
Richmond Public Schools also sent home tips to parents to help safeguard against the spread of the virus. While Richmond and Henrico haven’t seen an increase in student absences, both have had an increased number of faculty members call in sick.
But they can’t specifically tie those cases to the flu.
