Worcester Central School will be closed today because of an increasing number of absent students, many with flu-like symptoms, and staff illnesses, Superintendent Gary Kuch said Wednesday.
State education officials said the school appears to be the first in New York to close this season because of the flu.
Two students have tested positive for H1N1, or swine flu, Kuch said.
There were about 147 students absent Wednesday out of a student population of 413, Kuch said. There are normally about 15 to 20 out sick.
Kuch said matters were made worse when about 10 members of the teaching staff _ or one-fifth _ were out sick Wednesday.
With concerns that teachers weren't able to introduce material and there wouldn't be adequate staffing, Kuch said the decision was made to close.
The parent-teacher conference day scheduled for Friday will go ahead as planned, but if either party can't attend, it will be rescheduled, he said.
Cynthia Moore, Otsego County public health emergency preparedness coordinator, said there were no other schools in the county that have the same level of illnesses as Worcester.
The county no longer is involved with testing for H1N1, she said. The virus is treated the same as a seasonal flu, so it is important for students or teachers with flu-like symptoms to stay home, she said.
Preventative steps include vaccination. Hygienic techniques such as washing hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing, and avoiding touching one's eyes, nose and mouth should also be practiced, Moore said.
