Second Medford school cancels classes after stomach bug breakout

A second school in Medford, Massachusetts, was forced to cancel classes this week after an outbreak of stomach illness. St. Joseph School reported that 20% of its students were absent Monday, prompting the school to cancel Tuesday and Wednesday classes “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Boston Archdiocese spokesman Terrence Donilon. The school said there are no medical records confirming norovirus, but a “significant number of students (were sent home) with stomach bug symptoms,” the school said in a letter to families. The school will use the break from classes to “deep clean and sanitize the school,” and help stop the spread of illness before the holidays.Classes are expected to resume Thursday.”If you or a family member is feeling sick on Wednesday morning, DO NOT send your child(ren) to school,” the school wrote. This is the second school in the city to cancel classes for illness in as many weeks. Roberts School canceled classes last Thursday and Friday after more than 130 students and staff members were absent from class, reporting upset stomach symptoms. Norovirus is a contagious illness with which the affected usually experience sudden symptoms like vomiting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the country.

MEDFORD, Mass. —

A second school in Medford, Massachusetts, was forced to cancel classes this week after an outbreak of stomach illness.

St. Joseph School reported that 20% of its students were absent Monday, prompting the school to cancel Tuesday and Wednesday classes “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Boston Archdiocese spokesman Terrence Donilon.

The school said there are no medical records confirming norovirus, but a “significant number of students (were sent home) with stomach bug symptoms,” the school said in a letter to families.

The school will use the break from classes to “deep clean and sanitize the school,” and help stop the spread of illness before the holidays.

Classes are expected to resume Thursday.

“If you or a family member is feeling sick on Wednesday morning, DO NOT send your child(ren) to school,” the school wrote.

This is the second school in the city to cancel classes for illness in as many weeks.

Roberts School canceled classes last Thursday and Friday after more than 130 students and staff members were absent from class, reporting upset stomach symptoms.

Norovirus is a contagious illness with which the affected usually experience sudden symptoms like vomiting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the country.