Two Maine schools closed Tuesday for deep cleaning as illnesses spread
Two Midcoast schools are shut down Tuesday for deep cleaning as viruses continue to spread quickly since Thanksgiving.
Class is cancelled at Harpswell Community School and Mount Ararat Middle School in Topsham because of respiratory illnesses. They have plans to reopen on Wednesday.
These school cancellations come after a flu outbreak at Casco Bay High School led to an early dismissal on Friday.
A third of the students and staff at that school were out sick with flu symptoms last week.
"I was shivering. I was coughing real bad. I couldn't even breathe at night,” said Adelina Salianga, a Casco Bay High School student who is recovering from the flu.
"Coughing, pain in your stomach and stuff, couldn't eat, couldn't breathe. The kids who had the fevers and stuff, they still have to wear masks just to keep everybody safe,” said Noemia Nzolameso, a Casco Bay High School student who is recovering from the flu.
Hospitals in Maine are seeing a rise in patients with respiratory illnesses.
US CDC lists Maine is in the "high" category for flu.
MaineHealth says the state has the highest flu numbers they've seen in the past 10 years.
The good news is this year's flu vaccine is very effective. Doctors recommend you update your COVID and flu vaccinations, frequently wash your hands, and wear masks to keep from getting the flu.
