46 Colorado Schools Close Due To Virus Outbreaks

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Forty-six schools in Colorado have had to close because of a highly-contagious outbreak, officials said.

According to the The Denver Post, two viruses have forced schools in Mesa County near the Utah border to cancel classes. Health officials believe one of the viruses is norovirus, but the emergence of the second virus has caused some students to become sick twice.

Authorities said the two highly-contagious viruses have created an unprecedented spread of illness. At one high school alone, more than one-third of the more than 1,000 students have gotten sick along with half the 50 staff and faculty members.

Approximately 22,000 students will be out of class until Dec. 2 as every affected school is disinfected, according to a statement from school officials.

There’s no word yet on if the sickness has spread into Utah.