4 months ago
VACAVILLE, CA - Test results released Thursday confirmed Alexis Clara, the Vacaville first-grader who died Sunday after showing flu-like symptoms, was infected with the H1N1 virus.
The Solano County Public Health Division also recommended the child's school be closed until next week to stop the spread of the illness.
Clara died Sunday evening at Vaca-Valley Hospital after being taken to the hospital's emergency room with flu-like symptoms.
Dr. Ronald Chapman, Solano County Public Health Officer, said his department recommended Browns Valley Elementary be shut down beginning Friday through Monday to stop transmission of the virus.
Thursday, 25 percent of the school's students were absent. That was more than 220 kids.
When health officials paired that information with confirmation that Clara did have the H1N1 virus, they decided to close the school until Tuesday, Oct. 27.
To help parents understand the situation, the Vacaville Unified School District Board held a special session during its regular meeting.
Instead, parents wanted the board to understand why they're upset.
"I'm above paranoid at this point," said one mother. "If we found out Monday or even Tuesday, why was the school not put under an incubation period starting then? Why are we waiting until tomorrow to start?"
Parents like Summyr Fien wanted specifics: How many kids are sick, or how bad is the virus?
Health officials don't know.
But Chapman says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does know this is only the beginning.
"They have stated that 40 percent of Americans will get infected with H1N1 this winter," he told parents during the meeting. "That's a lot of people."
While Clara had the only confirmed case of the virus, there are rumors that more children are getting sick.
"I went to a PTO last night only to find that there were numerous cases of H1N1 at Brownsville," said another mother.
Superintendent John Aycock said the school didn't close early because current protocol from the CDC no longer calls for immediate closings.
"With the protocols changing several times since spring, most parents didn't know they had changed drastically," said Aycock.
Other parents questioned if the school has taken into consideration the mental anguish of the other children in Clara's class.
One mother described her daughter's comments as she was dropped off at school. "She turned around this morning and said to her dad, 'Daddy, where are all the kids, do they all have the flu, are they going to die too?'" the mother said through tears.
While the school board meeting was happening, other parents had gathered outside of Browns Valley only to find that their parent meeting had been cancelled.
Instead, they focused on the 6-year-old victim.
While Elisa Novick looked at the child's growing memorial, she said there was more to this than protecting children.
"Bigger than that is what we can do to help out and reach the family," Novick said as she started to cry. "Because I, myself, would be breathless without my children."
During the meeting, health officials mentioned several times even though Clara had the H1N1 virus, they don't know yet if that's what took her life. The county coroner is still determining that.
Staff should still report to Browns Valley Elementary on Friday and Monday, unless they are feeling sick.
The same applies to kids next Tuesday. If they're sick, parents are asked to keep them home.
Full Statement from Superintendent Aycock:
Hello. This is John Aycock, Superintendent of Vacaville Unified School District. First let me say that we are saddened over the loss of our first grade student at Browns Valley Elementary School and we are addressing the concern that her passing may have been affected by the H1N1 flu virus. As of today, Thursday, October 22, the Solano County Public Health Department recommended the dismissal of school at Browns Valley Elementary ONLY. The dismissal is an effect due to a higher than average student absentee rate and the confirmation of the H1N1 infection in our child who passed away. Yet the cause of death has still not been determined. School is being dismissed in order to interrupt the transmission of any viruses that may have existed at Browns Valley. Browns Valley Elementary School students should stay at home and not congregate in public places such as malls, churches and small social gatherings as much as possible to minimize the spread of the flu. All activities of Browns Valley Elementary School are cancelled and the school is closed to the public during this dismissal period. We know this is a very difficult time for the Browns Valley elementary community and the district as we are dealing with the concerns of the H1N1 flu virus and the loss of one of our student at Browns Valley. The dismissal will be for students only. All staff at Browns Valley Elementary School will be reporting to work as usual.
Clara's family opened a memorial fund to help cover service costs. Donations can be made to the Alexis Clara Foundation through Wells Fargo Bank with the account number 6174118924.
News10/KXTV
