West Elementary School in Knoxville was hit with a wave of absences on Tuesday that pushed the absentee threshold to over 10% of students out sick, a number that is reportable to the state.

The symptoms associated with the school’s absences are fever, coughs, and positive influenza cultures. The school is continuing to monitor absences and work closely with Marion County Public Health. Parents are advised to keep students at home if they are ill and not to send their child to school until they are symptom- free for 24 hours. If parents have any questions they should are advised to contact Angie Mitchell, the Knoxville school nurse.