Detroit Evening Report: Detroit school closes after student’s death, high rate of illnesses
Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” podcast.
The Detroit Health Department is working with Detroit Public Schools Community District and state officials to investigate illnesses at two elementary schools.
Listen and Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report
NPR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Several students at Marcus Garvey Academy reported flu-like symptoms, prompting the district to close the building until Monday for cleaning. The Focus Hope Center for Children is also being monitored.
DPSCD has reported one kindergartener has died, though medical examiners have yet to determine the cause of death.
“I was really scared because my daughter, you know I got two daughters that go there. I was very nervous trying to figure out what’s going on. What’s coming? Is it the flu? I know April is allergy season but I thought Corona,” parent Theodore Burton told WXYZ. Burton has two students attending Marcus Garvey.
The health department is tracking at least 25 other cases. Parents are asked to watch for symptoms including fever, headache, lethargy, nausea or vomiting, and abdominal pain in students younger than 8 years old.
Other headlines for May 5, 2023:
- Michigan appropriations committee chair wants to allocate $20 million towards Highland Park debt
- Detroit public school teacher wins Michigan’s Teacher of the Year award
- Southwest Detroit hosting Cinco de Mayo weekend celebrations
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
