Oldham County Schools announces 3 days of NTI due to 'widespread illness'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Oldham County Schools will operate on NTI on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — Feb. 4-6 — due to "widespread illness" in the district.

In an email sent to district families Monday afternoon, OCS leadership said more than 1,700 students, more than 200 staff and 15 transportation employees were absent Monday due to illness.

Enrichment centers in the district will also be closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Richelle Harper is a mother with a child who attends Oldham County Schools. She was picking up groceries at Kroger Monday evening after the school district announced three NTI days.

"It is running rampant right now," Harper said. "I feel like it's getting worse. The flu hasn't been around the past few years because of COVID, but now that COVID has settled down, you're seeing the flu running around again."

Harper said the stomach bug bothered her family last week, but they haven't been hit by the flu yet.

"I tell my kids to wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face as much as you can," Harper said. "The biggest message is if you are sick or your children are sick, keep them home and keep them home long enough so they're not contagious."

Dr. Richard Phillips, Chief Medical Officer Baptist Health Floyd, said an increase of flu cases in January is expected.

"It's not uncommon for us to see an uptick in viral illnesses after the holiday season with families congregating," Phillips said. "The reality is kids will bring it back to their parents and their grandparents when they're home for the holidays. And then they get together in schools and pass it along to each other."

The holiday gatherings, followed by the return to school can have an amplifying effect for illnesses, according to Phillips. He said flu cases are around the typical numbers thus far.

"Now that we're doing more testing, this isn't something we tested for decades ago, now that we're doing more testing, we're more aware of these viruses and transmission patterns," Phillips said. "It can be a short incubation period of a couple of days, before symptoms present and when you test positive."

Some local health officials are referring to the flu, COVID, RSV and norovirus as a "quad-demic."

Phillips cautioned people with compromised immune systems.

"Most of these viruses are tolerated by young, healthy people," Phillip said. "The virus can become problematic for people who are advanced in age."

For more information on the NTI plan, click here.

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