ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Cheatham County school district will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the flu and stomach bug.
Cleaning crews sanitized the entire school.
"My guess is they’re scrambling with disinfectant, scrubbing surfaces, desktops, tabletops, door knobs, light switches, really trying to get the germs under control," said Eric Burcham.
Burcham manages Stratus of Nashville. They're a commercial cleaning company. He has experience cleaning facilities following illness outbreaks. He said parents who are home with sick kids need to leave cleaning solution on surfaces for an extended period of time.
"The kill claim on most disinfectants is at least 10 minutes," Burcham said.
While schools in Cheatham County remain closed, the emergency room at Tristar Ashland City Medical Center is busy.
Dr. Kyle Kakac said, "We’re definitely seeing more patients with influenza-like illnesses, and with viral gastroenteritis or GI type illnesses."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year the flu costs Americans approximately $10.4 billion in visits to the hospital and medical clinics. Kakac said to stop the spread of viruses, the Cheatham County community needs to work together.
"People with certain underlying medical conditions and risk factors are the ones that tend to have more problems with influenza and need to be closely in touch with their providers or come to the emergency department," Kakac said, "Get your flu shots wash your hands, keep the coughers away from everybody else, stay home if you’re sick."
Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, chills, and sometimes respiratory issues. It's not too late to get your flu shot too.
