Schools closed again by 2nd rash outbreak

The school buildings were cleaned with 'hospital grade' disinfectant.
BELOIT -- The red, itchy rash that sent pupils home late last week has resurfaced, forcing school officials to close Beloit Elementary and West Branch Middle schools again today.
West Branch Local School District pupils returned to school Monday, after a second round of health testing failed to uncover the cause of the rash that initially affected 35 children and two adults last week. Those individuals were treated and released at Alliance and Salem Community Hospitals.
Now, 11 students at Beloit Elementary have experienced a similar rash after returning to school Monday.
"We thought that we might see some reoccurrence of the rash, and we were prepared to deal with that," said Dr. Scott Weingart, superintendent. "When we all got together at the end of the day, we decided that 11 students were too many instances."
Weingart said the decision to close the buildings was made so that further testing can be conducted. A press release from the schools said no decision has been made as to when classes will resume at the two schools.
Information supplied by the school district said health officials categorize the rash as a noncontagious skin rash.
Schools closed Friday
The outbreak -- which began in a Beloit Elementary classroom -- prompted the district superintendent to close all the district's schools Friday. The buildings were cleaned with a "hospital-grade" disinfectant Friday and Saturday.
After the sterilization, the county health department and Mahoning County Hazardous Materials Response Team performed a second inspection of all schools' air and surfaces. Nothing "unusual or concerning" was discovered, said Weingart.
No cleaning crew members, school district staff or health officials experienced symptoms of the rash during cleanings and inspections, Weingart said.
"I spent a good part of the weekend, as did the custodians, and we haven't developed any symptoms of the rash," he said.
Both of the school's nurses were available for pupils Monday.
The district asks that any parent of a pupil who develops a rash call (330) 938-4300.