Union Star R-2 cancels classes Friday as illnesses cause high absence rate

UNION STAR, Mo. (KQTV) -- In a Thursday Facebook post, the Union Star R-2 School District detailed it would be closed Friday after seeing a high number of absences due to illnesses.

The closure of the school on Friday is to help prevent further spread and allow time for cleaning and recovery among students and staff.

The district said school is expected to resume on Monday, March 2.

Other area schools have already had to close school earlier this year, also citing a high number of illnesses among staff and students.

One of the most recent closings was St. Joseph Christian School.

A report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said flu cases continue to remain high across the state, but in Northwest Missouri, flu cases increased from 1,881 on Feb. 16 to 2,129 on Feb. 27.

Across the Northwest Missouri region, Buchanan, Johnson and Pettis counties, along with the Kansas City area, are taking the brunt of the number.