Five flu-related deaths have now occurred in Arkansas this flu season but the absenteeism rate at area schools continues to hold steady.
According to the weekly report from the Arkansas Department of Health for the week ending Dec. 15th, five deaths caused by the flu have been reported in the state. Since Sept. 30th, over 1,600 positive influenza tests have been reported to the ADH online database by health care providers.
Absenteeism rates in the Twin Lakes Area are slightly higher than the state average 5.7 percent. The highest absenteeism rate in the area is Searcy County at 7.47 percent. Others include Baxter County at 6.28 percent, Marion County at 6.02 percent, Fulton County at 5.13 percent, Izard County’s rate is 5.8 percent, Stone County is at 5.9 percent, Boone County is 5.3 percent and Newton County is at 5.13 percent.
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