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Having grown up during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS students are no stranger to wearing masks, sanitizing their hands, and washing their hands for 20 seconds.

Norovirus, a highly infectious contagion that causes vomiting and diarrhea, has been terrorizing restaurants, cruises, and schools since 1968. With about 2,500 US outbreaks reported every year, it is known for its high communicability. Far more contagious, however, is the rumor that a norovirus outbreak has occurred in Forest Hills Central Middle School (CMS).

The rumor first arose when a noticeable number of middle school students were absent last Thursday. Although an exact number cannot be told, it is known that a distinct part of the student body was absent due to gastrointestinal illnesses, prompting the administration, led by CMS principal Jeff Simon, to take a multitude of precautions. 

“As a school, one of the things we want to make sure is that kids are in school,” Simon said. “So we notice when that [attendance] number changes…. When we get reports of people getting sick, that’s kind of how we know that we need to look into [the issue] a little bit more and see what’s going on.”

First and foremost, let’s get the facts straight: we don’t know if the illness that many CMS students and faculty are getting is actually norovirus. All we know is that “an increased number of students and staff are reporting gastrointestinal illnesses at [CMS],” according to a letter sent to parents Thursday evening. Although norovirus is a type of gastrointestinal illness (GI), we don’t know if this is the correct diagnosis, and, therefore, shouldn’t jump to any conclusions about the issue.

Regardless, gossip became more infectious than the illness itself, which created a pervasive feeling of fear and worry in many CMS students.

“It was kind of a scary situation,” said eighth-grade student Colin Crowe. “I was kind of shocked how many people got [sick], especially the seventh graders. Hearing about all that, it made me kind of afraid of getting [the GI].”

In order to prevent the further spread of the contagion, the CMS administration has been working with the Kent County Health Department and its custodial staff to help keep the school safe. The Kent County Health Department is vital in these types of situations, as they make various recommendations in order to solve the issue. 

“Because of the illness uptick that we saw, we brought in additional [custodial staff],” Simon said. “They wiped down and disinfected all the hard surfaces in the building. So that includes seats, that includes doorknobs, it includes tabletops. Again, just to make sure that when everybody came back the next day—staff and students—it was clean and disinfected for a fresh start.”

Upon walking into the school’s front office, one can find faculty members and students wearing masks, cleaning doorknobs with disinfectant wipes, and using hand sanitizer significantly more than usual. Physical education teacher Stacy Steensma has been adamant about disinfecting her supplies, especially since her classes involve sharing so much equipment.

“I have some sanitizing spray, and so I spray the equipment before and after each use,” Steensma said. “I tried to get [my classes] outside, because outside is much better with the fresh air.”

Some teachers have taken more drastic cautionary measures.

“My ELA teacher—she created a bubble around her desk that no one could go into,” Colin said. “She encouraged us to use hand sanitizer as well.”

As the attendance issue has become known, and norovirus rumors infect the high school, many Central High School students are worried that their student body may catch the same case. As with any illness, the GI issue can be prevented if proper hygienic procedures are put in place. 

“Keep your hands away from your face, don’t share water bottles, and try to keep a little bit of distance,” Steensma said. “So do all those things that keep our immune system strong when we come in contact, even with a common cold, especially when we know that there’s something that’s really super contagious.”

So, walk away knowing that CMS has experienced a short-term attendance decline due to a pervasive gastrointestinal illness—but any specific diagnosis, like norovirus, remains to be determined. Also, remember to properly wash your hands, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. The best way to prevent GIs is by taking care of yourself, especially during Homecoming season. Lastly, make sure you support your fellow students and FHC community members as the CMS administration navigates this issue. 

For more information on the topic, read Jeff Simon’s letter to CMS families here.