Creek County's Kiefer Public Schools closed because of high number of flu cases

CREEK COUNTY, Okla. - Increasing flu numbers have shut down one school in Green Country.

Kiefer Public Schools, in Creek County just south of Glenpool, has canceled classes for the entire district Friday.

Out of about 650 students in the district, about 130 are sick with the virus. More than 100 couldn't even make it to school Thursday, school officials said.

"It was in the students' best interest to remove the kids who haven't been exposed to the virus from that environment," said KPS attorney Steve Mathis.

Mathis said the district's janitorial staff will make a special effort to eliminate as much of the virus as possible.

New data released Thursday morning by state health officials indicates 345 Oklahomans have been hospitalized with the flu, including eight deaths.

Three people in Tulsa County are among the fatal flu victims and one person each in Creek, Mayes, Muskogee, Pittsburg and Rogers counties have died.

Find more information on where to locate the vaccine, how to stay healthy and other resources at www.kjrh.com/flu .