Classes resume in Gentry schools

Fewer teachers, students out sick

GENTRY — Gentry schools were back in session Tuesday with many students still out sick, school officials said.

“Today, across the district, we had 127 students out, but that’s less than 10 percent of our overall student body,” Superintendent Randy Barrett said Tuesday. “While that’s still a large number, it’s a lot better than we were on Thursday. I think we only have three teachers out today.”

Barrett canceled Friday classes for all four schools in the district because about 13 percent of the 1,440 students across the schools were absent Thursday with flu symptoms. About 10 to 15 teachers also were absent, many because of sickness.

Mary Bailey, nurse supervisor for the district, said Thursday the number of sick students and teachers increased over the past two weeks. Bailey described the symptoms as “general flu-like symptoms” such as sore throat, high fever, body aches and coughing.

Barrett said he canceled classes because students would also be out Monday for Washington’s Birthday and would have a four-day break to rest and recover.

Meg Mirivel, public information officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, said she doesn’t know of any other school in the state closing because of widespread sickness.

The Department of Health issued a news release Friday urging Arkansans to get a flu shot, saying the flu is widespread throughout the state, passing the epidemic threshold, which is typical for flu season, Mirivel said.

“We do most of our mass flu clinics toward the beginning of the flu season, but people can go get their shots at their local health unit. There’s at least one in every county,” Mirivel said Tuesday.

The flu season traditionally goes from December to March, but can start early and go later, she said.

The Department of Health advises anyone with flu symptoms to see a doctor. Early flu symptoms can be treated with Tamiflu and anti-viral treatments.

“But they have to be given right after symptoms appear,” Mirivel said. “See your doctor right away.”

If the flu has already set in, symptoms can be treated with rest, drinking fluids, particularly water or other clear fluids and clear soups, and an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Nineteen people across the state, all adults, have died so far this flu season. The state had 11 flu deaths in the 2015-16 season. The state had almost 110 flu deaths in the 201415 season, a record number, Mirivel said.

People in the 65 and older age range are more at risk for complications from the flu, she said.

“Today, across the district, we had 127 students out, but that’s less than 10 percent of our overall student body.”

— Randy Barrett, Gentry superintendent