Local schools fared pretty well against flu compared to rest of KY

As November winds down, western Kentucky schools have appeared to fare better at keeping school in session during a three-pronged attack of illnesses across the state.

It didn't look like that would be the case in the first few weeks of the month, when Ballard Memorial, McCracken County, Paducah City and Crittenden County schools all had to take at least one day off because so many were sick.

But as November wore on, the wave of absteeism from flu and respiratory ailments has caused 58 school systems to take time off, according to the Kentucky School Board Association.

Northeastern counties have been hit especially hard, according to a KSBA map.

It's not just students that had to stay home this month. Many teachers and staff were also affected, and even substitute teachers were experiencing over 50 per cent absentee rates.

Gov. Andy Beshear addressed the spread of viruses like the flu and RSV across the state during his weekly update last week. In fact, he said his own kids had been out of school after illness-related closures.