HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Exposure to new people and germs often leaves students quickly contracting illness at the beginning of the school year. As students return to class on Aug. 26 in Christian County, simple acts like keeping sick kids home and washing hands can make all the difference in keeping students healthy.
“We all know that illness can increase when children go back to school,” said Cloie Rager with the Christian County Health Department. “We encourage parents to keep their children when they’re sick, it helps them recover quicker and can protect other people.”
Rager also told Christian County Now that encouraging good hygiene at home will help students while they are at school, specifically with hand washing. She added that hands should always be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Johnna Brown with Christian County Public Schools said classrooms and facilities are routinely cleaned each day, with teachers often taking extra precautions in individual classrooms, especially in the cases where there is a high number of illnesses.
If students do get sick, it is recommended by CCPS that they are fever free without medication for 24 hours before coming back to school. Students are able to use an excused absence if they are sick due to illness or are dealing with mental or behavioral health problems. Six excused absences are available if a student has a note signed by their parent or guardian, or health professional.
“Make sure you and your children are up to date on all immunizations including flu, RSV, COVID-19 and more,” added Rager. The health department will start administering most flu vaccines within the next few months, and the public will be notified about availability of regular and high dose flu vaccines, along with COVID-19 vaccines to adults and eligible children.
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