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SISD attendance holding steady despite high flu outbreak

Stephenville Empire-Tribune - 1/31/2018

Jan. 31--Although the flu outbreak remains high across the state of Texas, Stephenville ISD's attendance numbers remain steady.

As of Monday, the attendance percentage was at 92.22 percent for all campuses.

"Our normal range as a district is 96 to 97 percent attendance," said SISD PEIMS Coordinator Darby West Hernandez. "So we are a little down than normal, I am sure due to sickness."

On Jan. 26, the district had a lower attendance at 90.18 percent.

An article released by CBSDFW on Jan. 24 stated that Tolar and Lipan ISDs closed for two days to allow students and teachers recovery time from the flu and other illnesses.

There have been five pediatric flu deaths reported in the state since the start of influenza season on Oct. 1, 2017 and more than 2,300 flu-related deaths as of Jan. 25, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

"The percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza reported by public health and hospital laboratories has marginally increased," states the TDSHS website. "It is too early to tell if influenza activity has peaked for the season in Texas."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the flu shot for the 2017-2018 season and not the nasal flu spray.

"The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from the flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women and people with certain long-term health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications," states the CDC website. "You should get a flu vaccine now, if you haven't gotten one already this season. It's best to get vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community."

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