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Two Stanly County schools closed for two days this week due to a high rate of respiratory illnesses.

Stanly County Schools alerted families Tuesday that Aquadale Elementary and South Stanly Middle schools were “experiencing high incidences of respiratory illnesses.”

SCS moved to remote learning, which allowed for schools and buses to be cleaned and disinfected.

“By utilizing the allowed 5 remote learning days allowed within General Statute, students are able to continue with remote learning opportunities provided by their teachers, and will also be given additional makeup time next week to complete assignments if needed,” Hope Miller-Drye, administrative and board assistant for Stanly County Schools, said via email. “Stanly County Schools buildings and buses will receive additional electrostatic disinfecting, and deep cleaning methods using chemicals designed to neutralize pathogens. We would like to thank our staff members that are using these days to provide additional cleaning to ensure the well-being and health of our students.”

Students are expected to return to school on Tuesday.

“We do encourage vaccinations, and recommend people stay home when sick,” Health Director David Jenkins said when asked about school illnesses. “Wearing a mask is still a great option to prevent respiratory illnesses.”

The Health Department issued a press release on Wednesday stating that cases of respiratory illnesses in Stanly County and the state have been increasing, with cases of flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) being reported locally.

The Health Department stressed that “while most people recover in a week or two, these illnesses can be serious in infants, older adults, and others with weakened immune systems.”

Common symptoms of respiratory illness include:
● fever;
● cough;
● sore throat;
● runny nose/sneezing;
● muscle or body aches;
● headaches;
● fatigue (tiredness);
● nausea or vomiting; and
● diarrhea.

Here a few steps one can take to decrease the spread of respiratory illnesses:
● Wash your hands often with soap and water;
● Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands;
● Stay home when you are sick;
● Avoid close contact with sick people;
● Cover your coughs and sneezes;
● Clean and disinfect surfaces;
● Consider wearing a mask in public spaces; and
● Contact your healthcare provider or health department for information on
vaccines against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19.

For more information, visit:
● Flu – https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm
● RSV – https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
● COVID-19 – https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19