Six "probable" cases in Merkel are now confirmed cases but today the school district re-opened as scheduled.Schools were shut down with empty hallways and students enjoyed what some called their second spring break but closing down Merkel ISD wasn't as fun for Superintendent Bill Hood. He says he is glad students are back.
"Oh, it's pretty much like a normal day. We've got, you know most of our kids are back."
Some "probable" cases turned into confirmed cases over the weekend but during the week off, schools were wiped down and disinfected.
Schools in Merkel and Trent ISD are now 100% clean and disinfected and the students with the probable and confirmed cases are doing well and teachers are happy to be back in school.
"it's feels great, it feels good to be back to a regular routine, the kids are all back and working hard. and we are glad to be back," said Merkel Teacher Dawn Hilburn.
Students feel the same way.
"It's because we were gone for a week and we're about to have our field trip and I haven't seen my friends for a while so I'm just excited," said Jake Slaughter, Merkel student.
Jake adds he was worried but not because of the swine flu or getting sick but because of the field trip.
Superintendent Hood says despite the confirmed cases, re-opening the schools had to be done.
"You know most of our kids are back probably 96%, which is about what we average for the year," said Hood.
All the students with the confirmed and probable cases of the swine are back in school and healthy.
Superintendent Hood asks all parents to keep their child home from school if they have fever or flu like symptoms.
