Parochial schools closed for flu to open

• By MARSHA SILLS
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: May 6, 2009 - Page: 5A

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LAFAYETTE — School resumes Thursday at five area parochial schools that had been closed as part of the state’s precautions to prevent the spread of swine flu.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its recommendation that schools with H1N1 virus confirmations close for up to two weeks. The CDC now advises that schools may reopen and that schools focus on the “early identification of ill students and staff.”

Five confirmed swine flu cases at Cathedral-Carmel School, as well as some other private schools’ students testing positive for Type A influenza, set about a series of school closures.

Four area Catholic schools — Cathedral-Carmel School, St. Pius Elementary and St. Thomas More Catholic High School, all in Lafayette, and St. Cecilia School in Broussard — will reopen Thursday.

Ascension Episcopal School reopens today.

Staffs at the area parochial schools will be on campus today to prepare for students’ return, said Anna Larriviere, Diocese of Lafayette superintendent of schools.

Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas had sent 60 seventh-graders and 39 of their siblings home after three students became ill.

“All students will be welcome back tomorrow (Wednesday), except those students who were sick and their siblings,” said Merida Brooks, superintendent of Westminster.

The ill students’ siblings can return to school Monday, if they show no symptoms over the weekend, Brooks said.

The decision was based on the CDC’s new recommendation and in consultation with Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional public health director, Brooks said.

Larriviere reminded parents to monitor their children. The CDC advises that children with the symptoms should be kept home at least seven days.

“That’s a call that they’re going to have to make as a parent,” Larriviere said. “I would ask them to be vigilant.”

Currently, there are 27 suspected cases of swine flu in the state — 17 in Lafayette Parish; one each in St. Landry and St. Martin parishes and two in Iberia Parish.