Winchendon school closed due to suspected cases of norovirus
Winchendon school officials have closed an elementary school in the town after several suspected cases of norovirus, according to the school superintendent.
By Thursday, approximately 20 percent of the students at Memorial Elementary School had become sick by with flu-like symptoms, Superintendent Steven Haddad told Boston.com.
After consulting with local and state Department of Health officials, it was determined that the school was likely in the midst of a norovirus outbreak, and the decision was made to cancel school on Friday, Haddad said.
Two or three teachers went home sick on Thursday, he said.
The outbreak may have started Tuesday morning, when a student vomited in the school’s lobby, Haddad said.
The school is in the process of being thoroughly disinfected by professional cleaning crews, Haddad said. He expects classes to resume on Monday, but said he and other officials will visit the school early Monday morning to make sure the smell of bleach has dissipated.
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