Sickness Forces DeKalb Schools to Close until Tuesday

February 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Schools will be closed today (Friday) due to a high rate of absenteeism in the school system because of illness.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps told WJLE that the student absentee rate system wide shot up to 17% Thursday due to sickness. Several teachers and support staff were also out sick.

“We thought that once we reached this level of absenteeism that it was time to close schools,” said Director Cripps.

Daily student attendance system wide is usually at 94% or better but had fallen to 83% by Thursday.

Schools were already scheduled to be closed Monday, February 19 for Presidents Day but are expected to re-open on Tuesday, February 20

February 15, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack has chosen not to seek re-election and will be leaving office at the end of her term August 31.

Ms. Pack, who was first elected to the office in 2002, is completing her fourth term.

“I would like to thank all the citizens of DeKalb County for allowing me the opportunity to serve as DeKalb County’s Circuit Court Clerk the past 15 ½ years,” said Ms. Pack.

“I have so enjoyed working with the judges in Circuit, Criminal and Civil, General Sessions Criminal and Civil, and Juvenile Courts, all the attorneys from our local bar and surrounding counties, the District Attorney General’s Office, District Public Defender’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department, City of Smithville and Alexandria Police Departments, and my special friends elected officials of DeKalb County, you all have a special place in my heart,” she continued.

“My prayer for our county and these special people is: with unity, love, and thankfulness, we all seek God’s guidance and leadership daily in all we do,” Ms. Pack concluded.

February 15, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Health Department is joining county health departments across the state in administering FREE flu shots during “Flu Shot Friday” February 16 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Get a flu shot! The Tennessee Department of Health is urging all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu shot this flu season to get one as soon as possible, as seasonal influenza remains widespread across the state. Tennessee county health departments are providing flu vaccine at no charge to patients while supplies last and are holding special “Flu Shot Friday” clinics from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. local time Feb. 16 in all locations to increase the number of people vaccinated across Tennessee.

“We are having these clinics to emphasize it’s not too late to get vaccinated because we expect a lot more weeks of seasonal flu that we all know has already been intense. Vaccination is still the best protection we have against this serious and deadly illness,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Yes, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, stay home if you are sick but above all get vaccinated. It can help you and those around you stay healthy and if you do get sick, it just might save your life.”

All Tennessee county health departments are holding Flu Shot Friday clinics Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. This includes all rural county health departments and health department clinics in Chattanooga-Hamilton County, Jackson-Madison County, Knoxville-Knox County, Nashville-Davidson County, Memphis-Shelby County and Sullivan County. No appointments are needed to receive a flu shot during this event. Find a map of local health department locations and contact information online at www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/localdepartments.html.

TDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six months and older. Unfortunately, flu vaccines don’t work as well against H3N2 viruses, which means some people who get vaccinated may still get sick; however, flu vaccination helps make illness milder for those who do get sick. Flu vaccines also work better against H1N1 and influenza B viruses, which are also circulating in Tennessee right now.

Most people with the flu will have a mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. However, groups including infants, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions are at highest risk of getting severe complications from the flu. Anyone who believes he or she may have the flu should contact a health care provider and should begin antiviral medications if recommended by the provider as soon as possible.

Flu virus is highly contagious, so it’s important for people who are sick to stay home and make every effort to avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours after their symptoms have resolved to help prevent further spread of the illness. This includes staying away from work, school and other public places while ill.
Follow these additional tips to protect your family and others from the flu:

* Use “respiratory etiquette” by coughing into your elbow or a tissue instead of your hands
* Wash hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub
* Routine cleaning and disinfection in the home and workplace are important to reduce flu risks

Learn more about preventing seasonal flu at www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm.