Schools Will Be Sanitized Overnight After Multiple Students Sickened in Lowell

Photo credit: WHDH/7News

Update:

Lowell Public Schools plans to conduct a “thorough hard surface cleaning” overnight Thursday at Sullivan Middle School and Reilly Elementary School after schools were evacuated and several students experienced illness Thursday morning.

According to a message from the school system, a large number of Sullivan Middle School students experienced symptoms similar to those of carbon monoxide poisoning Thursday morning and the school was evacuated.

The students were taken to Reilly Middle School from which they were later dismissed for the day.

Lowell Public Schools said in a statement that carbon monoxide does not appear to have been the culprit, but rather that a virus has swept through the school and sickened multiple students. Five students were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Overnight Thursday, “All wings of the school are being tested,” according to the school system. “We can assure parents that we are cleaning, sanitizing and ensuring that if this is a virus we will be prepared to help families.”

Additionally, the ”status of tomorrow’s school day will be determined after all testing and professional cleaning has been conducted.”

Update:

The Lowell Fire Department has cleared Sullivan Middle School and did not find a carbon monoxide leak; a virus is now being blamed for the symptoms several students have exhibited.

Students were evacuated from the school around noon Thursday after some students complained of headaches, according to WHDH. The students were taken to the nearby Reilly School, from which they were dismissed later Thursday afternoon.

Lowell Public School’s announced on its Facebook page, that the school was clear of carbon monoxide, but some students were experiencing nausea and mild respiratory symptoms.

Bob Ward with Fox 25 reported that the fire department is now blaming a possible virus that has sickened about 60 students and sent five students to area hospitals for treatment.

Original article:

Sullivan Middle School in Lowell has been evacuated after a possible carbon monoxide leak.

WHDH is reporting the evacuation took place at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday after students complained of headaches.

Patch will update this story as more info becomes available