Illness Forces School To Close In Prince George's County

CAMP SPRINGS, MD — A Prince George's County elementary school was forced to close after an illness outbreak left dozens of students and staff sick.

Princeton Elementary will remain closed for the rest of the week, according to officials with the Prince George's County Public Schools, so that the building can be deep cleaned and sanitized.

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So far, 48 students and 16 staff members reported flu- and gastroenteritis-like symptoms, Fox 5 DC reported.

Prince George's County Public Schools consulted with the local health department before deciding to close the facility.

The health department has not yet identified the specific virus that's behind the outbreak. However, Maryland's flu test positivity rate has more than doubled compared to the same period last year, according to the state's influenza dashboard.