School normal in Carroll, Troup counties despite flu scare

Schools operated normally Friday in Carroll County, where two suspected cases of swine flu had been reported.

A Carrollton medical facility sent test samples from two patients for confirmation of the H1N1 flu virus. A spokeswoman for Tanner Medical Systems had initially identified the samples as suspected cases of swine flu.

The Georgia Division of Public Health has contradicted the medical center, saying no new probable cases have emerged in the state.

A Kentucky woman visiting Georgia for a wedding remains the first confirmed case of swine flu. The 30-year-old patient, who is isolated in the intensive care unit of a LaGrange hospital, had visited Cancun, Mexico.

Mexico is considered the epicenter of the swine flu outbreak.

Elena Schulenburg, spokeswoman for the Carroll County schools, said school officials are maintaining close contact with public health officials and working to keep parents informed, she said.

None of the suspected flu cases affect the school system, she said.

“People are concerned. We’re trying to communicate the best way we can” through mailings to the parents and updates on the school Web site, Schulenburg said.

The school system of 15,000 students is the 23rd largest in Georgia.

Carroll County Commission Chairman Bill Chappell shrugged off concerns that swine flu is establishing a foothold in the state.

There have been more calls about the planned demolition of a building than about flu worries, he said.

“Before I get excited, I need to know a whole lot more because the information is not out there,” Chappell said.

Carrollton still plans to host the annual Mayfest on Saturday, which Chappell said draws thousands to the city square.

“We’d love to see you come out here,” he said.

Schools also operated normally in Troup County, a district of 12,000 students. Georgia’s first confirmed swine flu case was identified in the county.

“We track absenteeism every single day, and we have not seen a significant spike,” school district spokeswoman Catherine Holmes said.

School field trips so far have not been canceled, Holmes said.