An elementary school in Long Beach was closed this week after an outbreak of norovirus infected more than 120 students, city health officials said.
The illnesses at Carver Elementary School were first reported to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 22. Symptoms of norovirus include sudden vomiting and diarrhea, health officials said, adding that the virus is generally not dangerous but highly contagious.
As of Friday, 126 students and 10 staff had reported “gastrointestinal symptoms,” health department spokeswoman Jennifer Rice Epstein said.
The school will be closed Friday through Tuesday, KTLA-TV Channel 5 reported. The campus will be deep cleaned during this time, Epstein said.
Since cases were first reported, the health department has recommended the school keep individual classes isolated during breaks, postpone extracurricular activities and screen students and staff.
“However, there is evidence of continued transmission despite strict control measures, which is why the school is temporarily closing,” Epstein said.
The Long Beach Unified School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment.