Additional schools closing to prevent Norovirus spread

EUREKA – More schools are closing due to an outbreak of highly contagious norovirus.
Fieldbrook, Rio Dell and Cutten Ridgewood plan to close tomorrow to prevent further spread. More than a hundred students have contracted the virus since last week. With Thursday’s announcement, a total of 18 schools will be closed until early 2018.
But what about institutions that must keep their doors open?
Hospitals, law enforcement and fire departments are some of the organizations that don’t have closure as an option.
One such location is the national weather service on woodley island.
Meteorologist in Charge Troy Nicolini said, “We can’t close if Norovirus comes through here. We have to keep operating to serve the community. So it’s really important that our staff is able to stay well and come to work and perform this important mission.” The NWS operations center runs 24 hours a day, monitoring local and regional weather.
Nicolini said even the common cold can make staffing difficult.
When an illness like norovirus hits, the office takes extra precautions by disinfecting shared equipment, offering hand washing reminders, and encouraging overall health.