Like schools and communities across the state and country, Holyoke has recently experienced overlapping surges of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses among students and staff, including stomach flu, norovirus, regular flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
All of these illnesses are contagious, and spread can occur relatively quickly. And because the symptoms for these three viral illnesses share some similar symptoms, it can be hard to tell them apart.
To help prevent the spread of infection, please consider the following guidelines for yourself and your children:
Students and staff should stay home if they have diarrhea and/or vomiting and also feel unwell. Additionally, a child who has a fever should remain at home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Please refer to the district’s health guidelines, provided below in nine languages:
If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. If you’re unsure whether to send your child to school, you can contact your child's school nurse for assistance.
If you haven’t already, be sure to get an annual flu shot for yourself and your children.
Practice good handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and teach your children to do the same. This includes washing hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, and as needed throughout the day.
Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of the elbow, not the hands.
Avoid close contact with others when sick.
Clean common areas and items in your home with a disinfectant.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.