A significant amount of illness across the border in Calais, Maine, is leading to school closures.
The Calais School Department announced that it is closing all schools in the city on Friday.
CSD said student and staff attendance have been impacted by a “significant amount of illness in our communities.”
“We kindly ask you take advantage of this day to take care of our students’ and staff wellness,” the department said in a social media post on Thursday.
The news comes just one day after the Calais Community Hospital implemented mandatory masking in all clinical areas of the facility.
Hospital officials cited a major increase in respiratory illnesses among patients and staff, and a continued rise in respiratory illnesses within Washington County.
The directive applies to the emergency, inpatient, laboratory, radiology, surgery and respiratory departments.
Masks are optional in areas considered low-risk to more vulnerable patients, including the cafeteria, main lobby and hallways.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said overall respiratory illness activity in Maine is currently moderate.