May 6, 2009 2:13 pm US/Eastern
Md. Schools Closed For Swine Flu Reopen
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ―
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U.S. health leaders change course on the order to shut down schools to protect students from swine flu. This comes despite four confirmed cases in Maryland and the second U.S. death.
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U.S. health leaders change course on the order to shut down schools to protect students from swine flu.
Gigi Barnett reports this comes despite four confirmed cases in Maryland and the second U.S. death.
After two days of no classes, school buses pulled up and parents dropped off students Wednesday morning at Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County and Folger McKinsey Elementary in Anne Arundel County.
The schools were two of six that were shut down Friday after discovering students with possible swine flu.
"I'm still afraid to go to school, but we still have to," said Zoha Chaudhry, Milford Mill student.
Other students say the time off was enough.
"I have exams and stuff to do, so I would like to get back to school because I'm a senior. So I'm happy," said Stephanie Goldman, Milford Mill student.
Over the weekend and two school days off, school custodians disinfected schools, scrubbing lockers, doors and desks.
While early attendance numbers aren't ready, schools say they're seeing more students.
"The buses have been more full, so we know that more students are likely here today," said Maneka Monk, Anne Arundel County Schools spokesperson.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control advised school leaders to shut down schools with probable cases. But Tuesday, the CDC reversed its suggestion on school closures.
"I'm not worried because if it wasn't safe, they wouldn't let us come. So I think it's safe enough for us," said Rouhreh Rayat, Milford Mill student.
ERs and urgent care centers are ready for normalcy, too. The swine flu panic has increased screening and the wait.
"We actually, yesterday, had seen 100 patients before noon," said Dr. Jeffrey Sternlicht from GBMC.
But Maryland has only seen four confirmed cases of H1N1 or swine flu, a strain seeming more manageable as health officials learn more.
"What we're finding out is it's less virulent, at least at this point, than we had first feared and we can treat it more like a seasonal flu," said John Colmers with the Maryland Health Department.
Despite the hassle of the past few days, many parents say they felt well-informed during this process.
"Sometimes we could get three emails a day. Anything that changed, we would get an email," said Rob Bodnar, a Folger McKinsey parent.
"I was comfortable with the decisions everyone made," said Allison Mathews.
"It's good to have a procedure in place for whatever comes up, but if it's all clear, they're ready. And believe me, we're ready for them to go back," said Kevin O'Connor.
A woman in her 30s did die Tuesday in Texas from the virus. She is the second to die in the U.S., but the first citizen Doctors say she had chronic health problems.
The strain that is spreading across the globe, with the most victims and deaths in Mexico, is not killing the Marylanders who catch it.
Hotlines across the state are answering questions. The state says preparing for an outbreak has been a top priority.
The state has opened a swine flu information line. The number is
1-877-633-5848 or 1-877-MDFLU4U. The service will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will also accept questions about swine flu by e-mail at
swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us.
Click here for more information about the swine flu from the state.
If you live in Baltimore County, you can call
410-887-2243 for more information.
The Anne Arundel County Health Department has set up an information hotline at 410-222-7343.
The hotline number for Montgomery County is 240-777-4200. The county has also activated its emergency operations center.
Stay with WJZ.COM for updates to this developing story.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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