(Breaking news) Calverton student tests positive for swine flu

Monday, Sept. 14, 2009

One student at the Calverton School has tested positive for swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, and many more have reported flu-like symptoms to the school, according to Holly Reynolds Lee, communications and marketing coordinator at the school.

Lee said Monday afternoon that the school has at least 27 percent of its sixth and seventh grade class out of school with flu symptoms, which puts the school at outbreak level. There are just fewer than 400 students at the private school.

On Monday morning, many students were absent from school and one student reportedly tested positive for swine flu when that student went to the doctor. Other students were sent home sick throughout the day. Lee said the school started calling the parents of absent students and found that many thought their children had simple colds.

Lee said there are no plans to close the school and activities are expected to go on as scheduled.

At the school, a plan had already been in place since last year to prevent the spread of the virus after the national news of a possible pandemic. "The disinfecting has been very stepped up this year. You can't walk far without walking past a hand sanitizer," she said.

Sharon Nazarek of the Calvert County Health Department said swine flu vaccinations are expected to start arriving in mid to late October.

jnewman@somdnews.com>