The US has experienced the worst influenza season in 15 years, with high infections, hospitalizations and mortality rates. Florida’s major flu strain is H1N1, with the diagnosis being reduced, but remains higher than before. The policy requires medical documents for flu-related absences, and students have limited time to miss work.
As the worst flu season of 15 years wipes out the country, kids in classrooms across the country take the virus home, and space shores have not hit the brunt of it.
Brevard’s parents and teachers have reported an increase in flu, including Kelly Kelvin, a Palm Bay mom whose two high school daughters played their own game because they were sick.
“Both girls have missed school because of illness more than they had last few years. No one is bouncing back as fast as they used to,” said Kelvin, who was recovering from the flu.
Charlie Starcup Giordano’s daughter is also a high school student and it’s so bad that she was asked to be completely removed from the full school.
“My daughter asked me to withdraw (the virtual school in Florida) so she could because she was always sick,” Palm Bay’s mom said. “She has two sinus infections this year from catching something from school. Her grades are a hit, so she just wants to get back and do it.”
Nationally, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic has been the highest since the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, with at least 29 million flu cases, 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention There is. In January, for the first time since 2020, influenza deaths exceeded what was caused by Covid-19, and based on the latest CDC data, this influenza season is classified as “high severity season” for all age groups. It’s been done. This is the first time since the 2017-2018 flu season. Other viruses such as Covid, RSV and Norovirus have also skyrocketed this winter, according to the CDC.
Flu levels are also unusually high in Florida, with disease numbers and emergency department visits significantly higher than in past few years, according to state health department data.
It is not clear how Brevard Public Schools handles the rise in disease. The district did not reply to requests from Florida today regarding student or teacher absences due to the flu. If the school is doing something to help students catch up on the job they missed.
The data shows:
Florida: The flu is declining, but higher than before
Latest data from the state health department showed that influenza diagnosis had declined from the previous week, but was still higher than in the previous year.
In the week ending February 8th, the percentage of emergency department visits with discharge diagnosis fell from 8% to 6%. This is still higher than last season, when the number of diagnoses was 3% over the same period.
During the same period, the number of emergency department visits with patient complaints reported to providers by patients reporting flu-like and flu-like illnesses, both of which were lower than in previous years. It was expensive.
Those ages 65 and older were most likely to be hospitalized or died, with 234.7 people hospitalized per 100,000 people and 6.7 people died of the flu per 100,000 people. People aged 18-65 were hospitalized at a rate of 52.7 per 100,000, with a mortality rate of 0.6, while those under 17 were hospitalized at 36.6 per 100,000 and a mortality rate of 0.2.
Nationwide, 1.7% of all deaths are attributed to the January flu, surpassing Covid-induced mortality rates. The percentage of influenza-related deaths rose to 2.6% for the week ending February 8th.
The main strain of Florida flu is H1N1, according to the latest report from the state’s health department.
Brevard: Don’t miss school if you don’t have medical documents
According to BPS attendance policy, students can miss school due to illness if they have medical documents.
Exempt absent students may have up to 10th grade days to complete their makeup work, according to the policy. According to the policy, things are less specific to students with unsatisfactory absences. Principals should establish “site-specific procedures that encourage both regular attendance and high academic achievement.”
The flu has not collided with Brevard’s non-traditional schools. At Creative Connections at Satellite Beach, the homeschool community’s educational learning center in Brevard, it was the first year founder Erika Iurcovich did not have to cancel classes.
“That’s because I have more staff this year, so there are a few submarines that I can call if needed,” she said. “I run on a much smaller scale with different rules than public schools.” Of course.”
CDC recommends keeping your child at home if you have symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or respiratory symptoms. It is generally okay for your child to return to school when he or she has no fever 24 hours a day without drug use. Children may still be contagious, so it may be wise to consider additional mitigation measures.
Finchwalker is a Florida education reporter today. Please contact Walker at fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker.
