14 Jun 2022

School pulls plug on classes as Covid-19, flu take toll

12:57 pm on 14 June 2022

A school in Napier is telling all its pupils to stay home because there is so much sickness.

Generic of sick child

Photo: 123RF

About 150 pupils are off sick at Napier Intermediate School - that's about 40 percent of the roll.

Six staff are unwell too.

School principal Wendy Gray said it has caused difficulties trying to teach on site, so pupils will have to learn from home for the next three days.

The Hawke's Bay DHB said a combination of flu, Covid-19 and other viruses is circulating in the community.

A spokesperson said the illnesses were putting significant pressure on the hospital and GPs, leading to a massive increase in school absences.

Read an analysis piece on a suggested action plan for managing Covid-19 over winter in the nation's schools

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