The Ohio Department of Health alerted the public that statewide influenza cases have been high since the start of the calendar year. The southwest region of Ohio, including Butler and Hamilton counties, has seen 156 influenza-associated hospitalizations as of Feb. 1.
Ohio has had 1,384 influenza hospitalizations at its peak this season, compared to the peak of the five-year average, which is 711.
Heidi Bean, an Oxford resident and member of the Miami University cleaning staff in Porter Hall, has witnessed firsthand the impact of the respiratory virus outbreak on the community. Both students and colleagues have been hit by illness, Bean said.
“Illnesses spreads fast in Oxford from the university campus to the surrounding town,” Bean said. “It takes a lot of resources from the county, Oxford, and the university to help treat flu and COVID at these levels.”
The number of illnesses has not forced surrounding K-12 schools, such as the Talawanda School District, to close its doors, but respiratory virus outbreaks are still prevalent. Marshall Elementary’s preschool was temporarily closed.
“The district is experiencing some absences due to illness, and we did close Marshall Elementary’s preschool for today (2.6.2025) due to student and staff illness,” according to a statement by the Talawanda School District.
“The district monitors closely, and when or if the illness/absence rates get to 20%, we have closed classrooms and schools in the past to do additional cleaning and disinfecting and to give time for the illness to subside from our schools.”
The Miami cleaning staff has been working hard to keep students healthy and stop the spread of these diseases.
“We have had to take extra steps to ensure the dorms are properly sanitized to help stop flu and COVID from spreading,” Bean said. “It’s hard when everyone lives in such close proximity.”
Butler County offers free COVID-19 tests for pickup at its office in an effort to stop the spread of these diseases. Its office can be found at 130 High St. #136, Hamilton. In addition, the Ohio Department of Health provides COVID-19 testing for K-12 schools that is available for order online.
Butler County RTA also provides transportation to receive COVID-19 vaccinations to aid transportation needs for health care services. Rides can be booked at the BCRTA website.
The CDC website has temporarily removed guidelines surrounding vaccinations while modifications are made in compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. The order removed the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises agencies on vaccination recommendations, along with 3,000 other CDC pages.
The CDC still has guidelines that outline what to do if you are experiencing flu, COVID-19, or norovirus symptoms. If your symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, the CDC states to stay away from others until your symptoms have passed for 24 hours. Afterward, proceed with caution for five days.
If you or a family member tested positive for COVID-19, you can self-report your illness to Butler County from home to help the Oxford community gauge the severity of outbreaks.
