Snow-day for sickness: Harrisville to close Friday, January 17 amidst wave of illness

LEWIS COUNTY- Harrisville CSD is taking a snow-day this Friday, giving students a longer weekend to observe the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

However, School Superintendent Rob Finster told reporters from WWNY-TV that they’re not taking an extra day-off due to the weather forecast or for fun, but rather because of illness.

Amidst a wave of COVID, flu, norovirus, RSV, strep throat and other illnesses, the school says nearly 37% of students are out sick, along with 35% of staff members.

School officials say all sorts of illnesses have been going around throughout the district since around Christmas break.

Superintendent Finster says he hopes taking an extra day will help.

CDC image.