A sixth grade student at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School was
hospitalized last week with severe swine flu-like symptoms, but
she’s just one of many school children and community members who
may have contracted the flu.
A sixth grade student at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School was hospitalized last week with severe swine flu-like symptoms, but she’s just one of many school children and community members who may have contracted the flu.
Although the Solorsano student’s case was not confirmed as swine flu, she tested positive for Influenza A and the district is “going on the assumption that it’s H1N1,” said District Head Nurse Eileen Bontempi.
Monday alone, Bontempi sent about a dozen Solorsano students home with flu-like symptoms. Last week, 88 students were out sick, compared to 22 during the same time last year, Solorsano Principal Sal Tomasello said.
Though district attendance numbers were not immediately available, Bontempi reported increased absenteeism at all district schools. It’s also uncertain whether these students have contracted the H1N1 virus or have simply fallen victim to the seasonal flu, Bontempi said. So far, the district has not received word of any confirmed cases of H1N1.