H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Update

There have been numerous questions about the possible closing of our schools due to the H1N1 Virus, commonly known as Swine Flu. At this point, we do not have any students or staff who have been positively diagnosed, or even considered "probable" for the virus. Of course, as testing continues, this could change at any time. In an effort to let schools know what procedures are to take place, a teleconference with the state's education and health departments was held today. Some of the highlights are below: (Note that all information given out at any given time is subject to immediate change as conditions warrant)


• There are approximately 15 schools in California that are reported to be closed. El Centro, as you know, dismissed students at McKinley, Sunflower and Washington Schools.

• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has announced that when a school is closed or a “student dismissal” period is announced, schools may be closed for up to 14 days. This was decided this morning and extends the initial 7 day advisory that was in effect up to this time.

• If schools are closed or students dismissed, it will be on the recommendation of the County Health Officer. The School District cannot close schools without the recommendation from this officer.

• Contrary to rumors circulating about, there is no plan to unilaterally close all schools in California. Schools will only be recommended for closing if a “probable” or “confirmed” case of the N1H1 Virus is found to be present. “Probable” is a medical term referring to specific guidelines and medical testing outcomes. It is not based on the appearance of flu like symptoms. The schools cannot determine if a student is “probable”.

• Currently, no cases have been found in Holtville Schools. ONLY the 3 students identified in El Centro have been determined to be “probable”.

• If a closure takes place, only the school that has the affected student will be closed. We cannot have a Districtwide closure unless there is evidence that the virus is present in those other schools. There was a question about siblings and parents being infected by the affected student and the response was that is was up to the Health Department to investigate and make recommendations.

• The purpose of closing a school and dismissing students is for what the Health Department calls “social distancing,” trying to keep kids from sneezing coughing on each other and spreading the virus. It should be noticed that the students in closed districts/schools have fully recovered from the illness and may have been back in school healthy. The reason for the 14 days closure is to ensure anyone who may have come in contact with the originally infected student has had to time to experience the illness, recover, and not be contagious, further spreading the virus.

• If students are dismissed and schools closed, the missed days will not have to be made up.

• CDE is seeking STAR waivers for delaying the STAR testing if needed. More on that will be sought if needed.

• If any of our schools are closed, the process will move very quickly. The county has offered to allow us to use their “Reverse 911” system to call parents in our District if necessary.

• This is a new strain of the flu virus, which is why such precautionary measures are being taken. It is important, and was stressed multiple times by the experts that we must have our children and adults:

Wash their hands as often as possible, definitely after recesses and before and after lunch. Washing should be with soap or an antibacterial hand sanitizer. If using soap, at least 20 seconds per scrubbing is required.

Use and throw away tissues for coughing and sneezing.

Kids that are sick need to stay home. Same for adults.