Nurse Nicole Simpson prepares a flu shot at the Salvation Army in Atlanta, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. The U.S. government's latest flu report released on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, showed flu season continued to intensify the previous week, with high volumes of flu-related patient traffic in 42 states, up from 39 the week before. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The flu season is showing no signs of slowing down so area schools in Chautauqua County are fighting back.

Dr. Todd Jacobson, Occupational Health Services director at UPMC Chautauqua WCA, said in January the current flu strain was “more deadly and more severe” than last year’s strain, and noted that the peak of flu would ensue into February. Local schools are now adjusting to combat the lingering season.

In Falconer, Superintendent Stephen Penhollow said the district was up in the total number of absences around this time last year, but noted that as of last week the number of students reported sick are decreasing.

“We hope the worst is past us,” Penhollow said.

He said on average around 100 to 140 students were absent each day the week of Feb. 4. Penhollow said that decreased to about 50 percent less as of Thursday.

“If they do have flu like symptoms we encourage parents to keep their children home,” he said.

Penhollow said the teachers and custodians alike were “working diligently” to keep the school as clean as possible to prevent the spread of germs. He noted that custodians were tasked with the “monumental job” of cleaning the school every night.

Teachers also were tasked with adjusting to the mass amount of absences earlier in the month and were able to keep students up-to-date with class work. He noted that with homework and online programs like Google Docs, students are more equipped to stay on track with the curriculum.

In Jamestown Public Schools, absences related to sickness are down compared to last year, but the district continued to emphasis hygiene during the flu season

“We’re fairly stable compared to last year,” said John Panebianco, director of pupil services at Jamestown. “We’re not in an alert situation.”

Panebianco said if there were an alarming rate of absences due to illness the school would typically consider canceling school on either Friday or Monday to give students an extra day to heal.

“We’ve been pretty lucky so far,” Panebianco said.

The director reiterated that educating students and staff on staying healthy is important. Jamestown High School has a School Based Health Center within its facility that often works with the nurses office. Students are welcome to sign up for the services and can be given a diagnosis at school without having to miss too much school depending on the illness.

Bret Apthorpe, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, agreed that educating students on hygiene is important.

“Some kids are practicing much better hygiene than when we were kids,” Apthorpe said. “Even the kindergarteners cough in their elbows, everybody washes their hands after lunch. All that stuff helps.”

The superintendent also said winter recess — which takes place all this week — will give the staff time to clean the entire school.

Wegmans recently announced they will be giving out pediatric flu shots for those 5 years and older. The announcement follows an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo with the goal of increasing vaccine accessibility for children and families in New York. Those seeking flu shots at Wegmans are not required to have a prescription or an appointment.

As of Feb. 10, Chautauqua County had 615 laboratory reported cases of influenza, according to county Department of Health. Of those cases, 179 were generated from the week of Feb. 4.

County officials urge people get the flu shot annually, avoid close contact with people who are sick, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, washing hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds and frequently disinfect surfaces at home, work and school.