Casco Bay High School reports flu outbreak
Dec. 3—Casco Bay High School closed its doors early Friday due to a flu outbreak among students and staff, the school district confirmed.
Nearly a third of the school, including employees and students, were already absent Friday morning when classes began. The Maine Center for Disease Control defines a school outbreak as at least 15% of all students and staff being absent due to a specific illness.
The rest of the school was sent home at 11:50 a.m. instead of 2:50 p.m. Students attended shortened versions of their classes before the early dismissal. They were also able to pick up lunch before leaving, according to an announcement posted on the district's website.
The school is expected to reopen on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Maine CDC, did not immediately respond to an email asking for more information about the outbreak Friday afternoon.
Portland Schools reminded families that the city's public health division, working with Northern Light, is offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines at a clinic on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 39 Forest Ave. Shots will be available to anyone, regardless of whether they're insured.
The school district also urged people to stay home if they have any flu-like symptoms or other illnesses.
