Earlier this week we reported on the growing flu outbreak. In one part of our state, things are so bad that an entire school system decided to close.
Last night, Ashe County School officials posted the following announcement to their Facebook page;
“Parents and Students. Due to the increase in the flu outbreak, Ashe County Schools will be closed Friday, February 8, 2019, for both students and staff. Custodians will use this time to perform a deep clean at all of our schools. Hopefully, this extended break and the intense cleaning will help to stop the spread of flu germs.”
Things aren’t much better here in the Charlotte region. Yesterday, both Atrium Health and Novant issued restrictions on all visitors 12 years and younger from entering Charlotte-area hospitals due to so many patients having the flu;
FLU ALERT: Children 12 and younger may not visit patients starting tomorrow, February 8 at 7:00 a.m. Please RT. More details on which hospitals are affected and answers to questions: https://t.co/1Nu67P8V0J #cltnews pic.twitter.com/MVqrIOWM38
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 7, 2019
Out of concern for the health and well-being of our patients, we are asking the community to keep visitors age 12 and under out of all acute care facilities due to the widespread outbreak of the flu virus throughout the community. https://t.co/dmPL04reoC
— Novant Health (@NovantHealth) February 7, 2019
Some of the best remedies you can use at home to protect against the flu include;
- Washing your hands often
- Organic Oregano Oil
- NAC (N-acetyl L-cysteine)
- Olive Leaf Extract (OLE)
- Probiotics (especially those containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium)
- Immunity boosting vitamins, including; zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D3
CMS and Fort Mill Schools both say they are increasing cleaning schedules for their classrooms and making parents and teachers more aware of the increased danger.
