Three Queens Schools Close Due To Staff, Student Illness

Three Queens Schools Close Due To Staff, Student Illness

 

(L. to r.):  Deputy Schools Chancellor Kathleen Grimm, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Councilmember Melinda Katz, Assemblymember Catherine Nolan and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda Gibbs listen as Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Thomas Frieden, M.D. outlines the latest developments in the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak that has cropped up at three schools in Queens.                                    Photos Vinny DuPre

By Dan Miller
At a press conference at the Pop Diner on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, Mayor Michael Bloomberg reiterated that three public schools in Queens will close for up to five days due to student illnesses.

 I.S.  238, Hollis, P.S. 16, Corona and I.S. 5, Elmhurst closed on Friday, May 15 due to the large number of staff and or students exhibiting symptoms of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

 It has been reported that seven staff members became ill as the I.S.238, while 29 students visited the nurse at P.S. 16. At I.S. 5, more than 245 students were absent, a number far above the average daily absence rate.

  Bloomberg, Governor David A. Paterson, Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein had previously gathered at City Hall to announce that the city Health Department has recommended closing the three schools in Queens for at least five school days after documenting unusually high levels of influenza-like illnesses.

I.S. 5 in Elmhurst

 “The United Federation of Teachers has been working closely with the Department of Education, the Department of Health and the Mayor’s office on this matter, and we are very concerned for students and staff at all three schools as well as their families,” United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Randi Weingarten said. “We hope that the measures being taken to address the situation will alleviate the need for additional steps. We will continue to monitor the situation and we hope that everyone affected will make a quick recovery.”

 “We have been carefully monitoring the H1N1 virus, and we’re taking this action today

P.S. 16 in Corona

because there are unusually high levels of flu-like illnesses at three public schools,” Bloomberg said at the earlier press conference. “As we have said from the outset of the appearance of H1N1 in our city last month, we will share with New Yorkers what we know and not speculate on what we don’t know.”

 “We will continue to work closely with New York City officials to monitor the situation at these three schools and schools across our state to ensure that we are taking all necessary precautions to protect our children and families,” Paterson said in a statement.

I.S.238 in Hollis

At the Pop Diner press conference, Bloomberg emphasized, as he has on numerous other occasions, that New Yorkers must be considerate of each other in order to fight the flu virus effectively. “”If you’re not feeling well, stay home [from school or work],” he said. “And then stay home for another 24 hours after you do feel better.”