After hitting Knoxville area schools hard, a series of ailments moved north to Claiborne and Union counties as well. After looking at Feb. 4's absentee rate, Claiborne County Director of Education, Don Dobbs closed schools on Monday and Tuesday. But the flu continued to spread. After one day of school on Wednesday, Feb. 9th, Claiborne schools were closed again for the remainder of that week.

Union County Schools were affected as well. Students and teachers reported as usual on Monday, Feb. 7, but as the day progressed, the decision was made to dismiss school early. Student absences were not as severe in Union county as they were in the Claiborne County system, but illness significantly affected teacher and supporting staff. Fourteen substitutes filled in for Union County High School teachers who were feeling under the weather but many aides and cafeteria workers were also absent.

According to local medical staff, doctor's offices and emergency rooms have been flooded with the afflicted. Four different "bugs" seem to be involved. In addition to treating many cases of influenza, doctors have also treated strep throat, a 24-48 hour intestinal disorder, and upper respiratory ailments. Each and every one will make you feel perfectly rotten, but the treatments vary and the length of each illness will vary as well. No one can give medical advice to a newspaper audience, but medical staff at the Northeast Tennessee Regional Department of Health made a general recommendation for everybody during the flu season. Because of the way many flu season ailments are spread, people need to wash their hands more frequently. A quick rinse and a towel won't do the job. People need to wash with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds to "thoroughly wash your hands."

Other east Tennessee counties that have closed schools include: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Loudon, Marion, Morgan, Pickett, Rhea, Scott, Sequatchie, and Sevier counties. Absentee rates leading to local school closings are shown below. Mr. Dobbs, the Claiborne Director of Education stated that they didn't have a pre-designated percentage that led to school closing decisions, but that they had to evaluate the overall impact of student and staff absences in education and to act, when necessary, to protect the health of their students.

Claiborne County Schools data from Feb 9:

Claiborne High School: 17%

Clairfield Elementary School: 33%

Cumberland Gap High School: 13%

Ellen Meyers Primary School: 15%

Forge Ridge School K-8: 21%

H.Y. Livesay Middle School: 14%

Midway School K-8: 22%

Powell Valley Elementary: 19%

Soldiers Memorial Middle School: 13%

Springdale Elementary: 11%

Tazewell, New Tazewell Primary School: 18%

Union County Schools data from Feb 7:

Big Ridge Elementary: 9%

Horace Maynard Middle School: 15%

Luttrell Elementary School: 20%

Sharps Chapel Elementary School: 10%

Union County High School: 14%

The Progress wishes all students and school staff a speedy recovery.