Cedar Rapids school closes after students, teachers get sick

CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia. — Officials at a Cedar Rapids school have decided to cancel Friday classes as a precaution after almost 100 students and several teachers reported having a stomach illness.

KCRG-TV reports administrators at St. Matthew Elementary School decided to cancel classes for Friday after three teachers and 98 of the 193 students were out sick Thursday. The school's principal says those who are sick have a gastrointestinal illness, which is causing diarrhea and vomiting.

As a precaution, administrators decided to cancel classes for all students in alternative kindergarten through fifth grade.

The school does not believe the illness is food related, but administrators have called Linn County Public Health for assistance.

Health officials say the public has no reason to worry, and that this is an isolated case. The health department said it will conduct testing to find out what type of virus caused the illness.