MEDFORD, MASS. (WHDH) - Classes are canceled Thursday at Roberts Elementary School in Medford due to a suspected norovirus outbreak, according to the school district.
In a letter sent out to families, school officials said more than 130 students called out sick Wednesday, and even more students and staff reported feeling symptoms of an upset stomach while on campus.
The Medford Board of Health and the Department of Public Health said the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the highly contagious norovirus.
“We decided to close for tomorrow so we could do a deep, thorough cleaning by bringing in a professional company hoping to stop the spread,” said Suzanne B. Galusi, Interim Superintendent of Medford Public Schools.
Parents said they’re glad the school district is taking swift action.
“It’s just nice that if the school is getting to that level that they’re closing it down, and cleaning it out, and trying to keep the kids safe after this. I think that’s important,” Blake Slack, a Roberts Elementary School parent.
A mother of a child at the school told 7NEWS her daughter became ill quickly.
“She was fine all day today, and then we were out in the car and she was like, ‘Oh, my stomach kind of hurts,’ and then within a half an hour she was vomiting at my son’s activity into a trash can and we had to run out of there,” said Slack.
Galusi said she expects the elementary school to open again Friday.
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