Matthews school closes after 50 teachers, staff fall ill, officials say

MATTHEWS, N.C. — About 50 teachers and staff members were sick Monday at Covenant Day School in Matthews, and the school had to close because there not enough teachers to hold class.

The school will also be closed on Tuesday.

Health department officials said the faculty members became ill with norovirus-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The staff ate a meal together Friday night. About 70 people from the school attended. The lunch was catered by Jersey Mike's on Matthews Township Parkway in Matthews. The health department is working with the school and the restaurant to determine what happened.

No students were sick, officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines.

The most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.

At this time, norovirus has not been confirmed and the health department is waiting on test results from the State Health Department Laboratory.

CLICK HERE to read more from the CDC.

Jersey Mike's released the following statement about the incident:

We are very sorry to hear about the illness at the school. We have been in touch with the local restaurant owner who is working with the Department of Health to determine the cause. The Department of Health cleared the Matthew, N.C. location to open yesterday. They will continue to provide updates.

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