MURPHY, NC – Cherokee County schools will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 19 due to a surplus of students infected with the influenza virus.

Current North Carolina influenza statistics via NC.gov

Cherokee County School Superintendent Jeana Conley informed that a high student absence level led to the decision to cancel classes. “Today for the first time we had three schools hit or come close to 20 percent,” Conley stated on social media. It was reported that the three worst affected schools are Peachtree Elementary, Andrews Middle School, and Early College.

Because buses are shared throughout the district, all Cherokee County schools will close as a preventive measure.

Cherokee County Board of Education is asking able staff to please report and assist with disinfecting classrooms and school buses.

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