Note: This story was updated at 10:55 a.m. Feb. 8.

Oak Ridge Schools reported Wednesday that it is monitoring student and staff attendance as people across the United States monitor the flu and flu-related concerns.

“Currently, our absenteeism rate is at 12 percent, which is clearly lower than surrounding school systems,” Oak Ridge Schools Coordinated School Health reported on Twitter.

Anderson County Schools announced it would be closed Thursday and Friday because of widespread illness among students and staff members. Other area schools have closed as well, including Clinton and Lenoir City schools, and Campbell, Knox, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. [Read more…]