Flu Surge Closes Schools Across Newark, Ohio, Kentucky

A significant spike in flu cases has led to school closures across multiple counties in Ohio and Kentucky due to high levels of illness among staff and students. In Clark County, both a public school and a Catholic school closed after a notable increase in hospitalizations and teacher absences. Health officials emphasize the importance of flu vaccinations and advise individuals to stay home if feeling unwell to help mitigate the spread. In Louisville, nearly 800 teachers called out sick, prompting the district to switch to non-traditional instruction days, as the CDC reports this is the most intense winter virus season in 15 years. Low vaccination rates, particularly among children, have been cited as a contributing factor to the outbreak's severity. Health departments continue to stress the significance of vaccination as a key measure to control the flu's spread in schools.