by Lexi Cluney and Kelsea Doughty
Outbreak of Illnesses
Recently, two Belfast schools were in outbreak status, as determined by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 15 percent of staff and students Were out sick at Troy Howard Middle School and Capt. Albert Stevens Elementary School. A notice from the district said illnesses included RSV, Influenza A, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Strep Throat, and Covid 19. Belfast’s increase in illnesses is reflective of the overall trend in Maine. More than 1,700 cases of Influenza were reported in Maine for the week ending Friday, Dec. 3. Mount View has also seen an increase in absences due to various illnesses. As a reminder, if you are feeling very sick, please think of others and stay home. If you are not sick, be aware of what is going around, and wash your hands!