MOYOCK, N.C. (WAVY) — Over 100 students have been absent from Moyock Elementary School this week and a contagious stomach virus is believed to be the culprit.
According to Currituck County Schools Assistant Superintendent Renee Dowdy, an average of 20 to 40 students have been absent each day.
However, Dowday says in the past couple days the total number of students absent had jumped to more than 140. According to a report on the school’s website, nearly 500 students attend the school.
School staff have been working with officials from both the local and state levels of the health department to properly disinfect and sanitize the school building, Dowdy says.
“This is a major thing when you get to hundreds of kids being sick,” said James Newby, a parent of two students at the school.
Newby tells 10 On Your Side he thinks the school staff needs to clean better in between the school days.
“If it’s just a couple kids it’s one thing, but when you’re dealing with hundreds, that’s when the school needs to be shut down for a deep cleanin,” said Newby.
The administration is encouraging parents to keep their child home for a minimum of 24 hours after the child has fallen ill and staff are reminding students at the school to properly wash their hands, according to Dowdy.
