LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Multiple school districts across Kentucky have moved to remote learning or canceled classes but not because of severe winter weather. Numerous teachers and students are out with illnesses.

What You Need To Know

  • School districts across Kentucky have moved to remote learning or canceled classes 

  • This comes as numerous teachers and students are out with illnesses

  • The Kentucky Department of Health is seeing a rise in flu cases

  • Doctors stressed masking up, handwashing and getting the flu vaccine  

Schools are taking necessary precautions to stop the spread, such as sanitizing classrooms. 

"I'm seeing a lot of cases of flu right now, and it will take kids out for a couple of days because they can't go back to school until they've been without a fever for at least 24 hours," said Heather Felton, Norton Healthcare pediatrician. "I think schools will close to try to stop the spread of the infection in their school or in their classrooms."

Taylor County, Carroll County and LaRue County schools have moved to online learning, and Bullitt County Schools canceled classes for the rest of the week.

"I think every couple of years will have, like, a really huge spike in the number of cases," Felton said. "We've had spikes like this before, but this year will go down as one of those years where we just saw a tremendous amount of flu positive cases." 

The spike in cases also has Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, stressing Kentuckians to take care of their health. Greenberg proposed enforcing a mask ban in Oct. 2024 for public safety concerns but said those who are unwell should wear one. 

"If you have a health reason to wear a mask, please wear a mask," Greenberg said. "People who are wearing masks for legitimate health reasons should continue to wear those masks." 

Felton said wearing masks is another tool for prevention.

"I wear a mask in every single room that I go into right now because I don't want to get sick," Felton said. "They have their utility, and a lot of our patients, when they come into our office, if they're experiencing symptoms, will be offered one. Or we'll ask if they can wear one. It's to keep themselves safe, but also to prevent other patients from getting sick while they're here." 

Felton also urged others to wash their hands and cover their cough. She added the flu has to be diagnosed within the first 48 hours, so patients who want prescription medicine and treatment should book an appointment as soon as possible. 

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