County nearly doubles school absenteeism rate from flu in a week

An Arkansas Department of Health graphic shows the school absenteeism rates across the state from the week of Jan. 13-21.
An Arkansas Department of Health graphic shows the school absenteeism rates across the state from the week of Jan. 13-21.

Columbia County nearly doubled its school absenteeism due to flu and flu-like symptoms last week, according to the latest figures from the Arkansas Department of Health. The rate on Jan. 13 was 3.83%, but, as of Jan. 21, it was up to 6.28%. Along with Lafayette County, which jumped from 3.55% to 5.09%, the two adjoined counties represent the largest spike in school absenteeism rate in the the seven-county area in the southwest corner of Arkansas that also contains Miller, Hempstead, Ouachita, and Union Counties. Columbia County also went from nearly the lowest absenteeism rate in the area, to the second highest, only behind Ouachita County at 6.3%.

Phillips County in east Arkansas is in the worst shape at 11.6%. Across the state, the absenteeism rate is 6.2%, and the health department noted two schools had briefly closed due to the flu.

So far this flu season — which began near the end of September — 27 people have died from the flu, including one child. More than 21,000 Arkansans have visited an emergency room reporting influenza-like illnesses. There have been 10,700 positive flu tests this season, which is not a comprehensive total, with 1,400 positive tests last week. That's up from 1,100 the week before.

The CDC estimates 6,600 people have died from the flu or flu-related illnesses this season, according to the Arkansas Department of Health's weekly flu report, including 39 children.

Over the past decade, the deadliest flu season was the 2017-18 season, where more than 200 people died across the state. In 2015-16, 15 deaths were reported.

The majority positive cases of the flu reported to the state health department, which represent just a portion of positive flu diagnosis in the state, continues to be influenza B (about 53%) with influenza A at 47%. Influenza B is considered to be more dangerous for children, according to the state health department.

"So far, Influenza B has been a little more common, which is unusual," Meg Mirivel, director of communications for the Arkansas Department of Health, told the News-Times last week. "Typically, Influenza B, we don't really see it emerge until the back half of the season and Influenza B can be more serious for children, so that would be a concern."

Flu shots are still available at the Columbia County Health Unit in Magnolia. The unit is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Friday and until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Editor's Note: Caleb Slinkard of the El Dorado News-Times contributed to this report.

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