By Haleigh Miller, ’12, News Editor

Over the past three weeks, cases of swine flu and other illnesses have risen dramatically in all divisions of CCDS.

Although determining exactly how many cases of H1N1 have hit the CCDS student body is impossible, School Nurse Diana Wyrick said that a high number of students have been absent from school recently.  There have been between 6 and 30 students missing each day from the Upper School over the last three weeks, although the reasons for each absence were not specified for The Scroll.

With the new outbreak, many students are concerned for their health. Allison Mesh, ’13, said, “I don’t feel safe, I feel like I’m about to get sick, and I’m kind of afraid [of getting swine flu].”

The feeling seems to be widespread, as more and more students take advantage of new stores of hand sanitizer, available in nearly every classroom.  Alyssa Bardach, ’12, said, “I’m paranoid about getting swine flu, and I wash my hands constantly.”

To prevent further cases of swine flu, H1N1 vaccinations at CCDS are scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 4.  Representatives from Hamilton County Public Health will administer shots in the Upper School library.

Many students are eager to get vaccinated.  Dorian Bell, ’12, who has had swine flu, advised students that “since the success rate [of the vaccine] is about the same as the regular flu shot, I would definitely tell people to get vaccinated, [because] a vaccination is way better than having swine flu.”

Skylar Wilcots, ’12, agreed with Bell, saying that he “will definitely be getting vaccinated, even though I already got the regular flu shot, just to be extra safe.”

Photo illustration by Ilana Habib.