Cisco ISD disinfects campuses after 150+ staff & students reported sick

CISCO, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – School is out in Cisco, but not due to the weather. On Monday, January 20, Cisco ISD administrators announced the district will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, and Wednesday, January 22, after approximately 150 students were reported sick with the flu. Superintendent Ryan Steele made the decision to close schools to help curb the spread of illness.

“I think at the end of the day, we had 150 kids out, 11 staff members out at the elementary. We had several other staff members at the junior high and high school that were out. The best way to get everybody back and everybody ready to learn again was to give us a little space, a little separation. Allow us to do a cleaning. Allow sick kids to have a couple of days where they could be at home, not have to worry about school and not have to be up here and possibly expose other students,” explained Dr. Steele.

Dr. Steele knows firsthand what students are facing, as he also has the flu.

“I have a second grader who got sick, and I’ve got a seventh grader that has it as well. It goes around the family, and so I have it as well. So, unfortunately, it happens, but we’ll push through it,” added Dr. Steele.

On Tuesday, custodians sprayed disinfectant in classrooms, hallways, and even lockers to prevent the spread.

“When COVID happened a few years ago, we had to get real good real fast. That deep cleaning and cleansing and sterilizing and things like that. So, some of that muscle memory came back to us as far as that was concerned,” explained Dr. Steele.

Cisco nurse practitioner Jacqueline Belk, with Affinity Family Health and Med Spa, shared that the clinic has been especially busy during this cold and flu season, with many patients coming in diagnosed with Influenza A.

“This week, there has been a very big increase. Kiddos, there’s been some parents, some teachers. It’s been kind of a mixture, but mostly elementary kids are what I’ve been seeing,” said Belk.

Nurse Jacqueline Belk believes the high number of sick students is due to the flu’s highly contagious nature and the holiday season.

“With the holidays going around, everybody’s been hanging around each other and then they all go back to school. Then they’re all sharing. The flu is a very contagious infection, and it is a droplet. So, it’s not like you can just cough into your arm and prevent it,” added Belk.

Belk told KTAB/KRBC that the flu typically lasts about five days. She also shared tips for those who are sick, as well as preventative measures for those who are healthy.

“Body aches, fevers, chills. I recommend boosting your immune system with vitamin C, zinc, and garlic. Just natural things to boost that. Then keeping your hydration and just keeping yourself healthy are great ways. Anything like nasal congestion and cough over-the-counter remedies can help with that. Even if you’re not sick, that’s good as a preventative,” Belk shared.

Belk recommends flu vaccines for individuals who aren’t currently sick and haven’t yet received one. For those who are already ill, she advises waiting until they recover to get vaccinated, as the flu vaccine can still provide protection against various strains. Superintendent Dr. Steele is also encouraging parents to remind students to practice preventative health measures.

“Make sure you’re taking care of yourselves, eating healthy, doing those things, and preventing the things going a long way. And again, don’t ignore the sniffles, slight coughs, or anything like that. Go ahead and take steps to make sure that you’re as healthy as you can be,” said Dr. Steele.

Dr. Steele thanks CISD families for their understanding and shares that staff and teachers are prepared to welcome students back on Thursday.