Norovirus outbreak closes RI school

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - An outbreak of what's believed to be a norovirus-like illness has forced school officials to temporarily shut down St. George's School in Middletown.

Four students first showed symptoms , which include vomiting and diarrhea, Thursday, officials said. However as of Monday, 36 students and 11 staff members were sick.

• Learn more about norovirus and its symptoms

St. George's is a boarding school where most of the faculty and all but 45 of the school's 365 students live in campus dormitories.

"The goal is to break the cycle of transmission," said Head of School Eric Peterson. "What is most important is to keep the students and the faculty health and safe."

Crews will spend the next several days disinfecting the school with anti-microbial products and aerosol foggers as suggested by health officials, Peterson said.

Classes are expected to resume Sat. Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. In the meantime, students will be sent home to their families or will be housed with host families.