Still No Swine Flu Diagnosis at Lincoln School

There has not been a swine flu diagnosis at Lincoln School, as the early childhood center remains shuttered for the second straight day after six students and two teachers were absent with a "flu-like illness."

Health Officer Megan Avallone said the students have not been tested for the disease as the state health department is only requiring testing for patients currently hospitalized. None of the students or teachers at Lincoln have been hospitalized. Individual patients can request testing from a doctor, but Avallone said she has not been informed of any student or teacher asking to be tested. Avallone's office will be notified of any positive test.

Avallone recommended to Schools Supt. Margaret Dolan that Lincoln be closed after the students and teachers were absent last week. She explained that the students were all in the same class of 15 and comprised a 40 percent absence rate for one class. She has said she would have made the same recommendation regardless of the swine flu outbreak. It is not known exactly what illness the students and teachers have.

Lincoln School is scheduled to reopen in the morning for a regular schedule after a through cleaning by district custodial officials.