Health Forecast & Sick Day Tracker: May 15, 2026

📊 TODAY’S SCHOOL HEALTH SNAPSHOT

🟢 Low Illness Activity | 🟡 Moderate Spread | 🔴 High Illness Activity

🏫 School Disruption Risk: Moderate 👩‍⚕️ Pediatric Impact Level: Moderate

🚨 Current Status: YELLOW

Mid-May is bringing a “Late-Spring Plateau.” While traditional Influenza A has receded, Influenza B and Norovirus clusters are continuing to cause localized disruptions in elementary and middle schools.

⚠️ What This Means For Parents Today:

• Cluster Watch: If your child’s classroom reports multiple absences, a “Sick Day” closure or deep-clean pivot may be imminent.

• Attendance: Prioritize rest; late-season fatigue is making recovery times longer for students.

• Prevention: It is peak pollen season; do not mistake a viral sore throat for simple hay fever.

📍 THE 50-STATE HEALTH TRACKER (USA + DC)

Alabama (AL): 🟡 Rising Norovirus cases reported in early childhood centers.

Alaska (AK): 🟢 Activity remains low as the spring thaw completes.

Arizona (AZ): 🟡 High pollen counts are exacerbating mild respiratory cold symptoms.

Arkansas (AR): 🔴 ALERT: Localized school closures due to high teacher absenteeism.

California (CA): 🟡 Norovirus clusters identified in several Bay Area elementary schools.

Colorado (CO): 🟢 Activity is stable with only scattered reports of mild colds.

Connecticut (CT): 🟡 Influenza B remains the primary driver of middle school absences.

Delaware (DE): 🟢 Generally low activity; occasional seasonal allergy spikes.

Florida (FL): 🔴 ALERT: Significant spike in “Stomach Bug” reports in the Orlando metro area.

Georgia (GA): 🟡 Moderate respiratory activity; keep an eye on “barky” coughs.

Hawaii (HI): 🟢 Stable health status across all islands.

Idaho (ID): 🟢 Low viral spread; focus is currently on seasonal allergies.

Illinois (IL): 🟡 Rising Influenza B activity in the Chicago suburban districts.

Indiana (IN): 🟢 Activity levels have dropped significantly since the April peak.

Iowa (IA): 🟡 Moderate spread of gastrointestinal illness in rural districts.

Kansas (KS): 🟢 Most districts reporting normal attendance levels.

Kentucky (KY): 🟡 High pediatric impact from lingering Influenza B cases.

Louisiana (LA): 🔴 ALERT: Multiple schools monitoring E. coli clusters; prioritize handwashing.

Maine (ME): 🟢 Quiet start to the month with very few viral alerts.

Maryland (MD): 🟡 Rising absenteeism in primary grades due to “Walking Pneumonia.”

Massachusetts (MA): 🟡 Stable but elevated levels of common cold viruses.

Michigan (MI): 🔴 ALERT: High Norovirus activity leading to deep-cleaning protocols in Detroit.

Minnesota (MN): 🟢 Significant decline in respiratory cases over the last week.

Mississippi (MS): 🟡 Moderate spread of seasonal stomach viruses.

Missouri (MO): 🟢 Health status is currently rated as stable for most districts.

Montana (MT): 🟢 Low activity; no major school health alerts.

Nebraska (NE): 🟢 Attendance remains high as the flu season winds down.

Nevada (NV): 🟡 Dust and pollen are complicating mild respiratory virus screenings.

New Hampshire (NH): 🟢 Low illness activity reported statewide.

New Jersey (NJ): 🟡 Persistent Influenza B clusters in Northern NJ schools.

New Mexico (NM): 🟢 Activity is low; focus on hydration during rising temperatures.

New York (NY): 🔴 ALERT: Rising “Sick Day” closures in NYC and Albany school districts.

North Carolina (NC): 🟡 Moderate respiratory activity; allergies are masking viral symptoms.

North Dakota (ND): 🟢 Very low viral spread reported this week.

Ohio (OH): 🟡 Elevated stomach bug reports in the Columbus and Cleveland areas.

Oklahoma (OK): 🟢 Stable health snapshot with minimal disruptions.

Oregon (OR): 🟡 Rising Influenza B cases in the Portland metro region.

Pennsylvania (PA): 🟡 Moderate spread; schools reporting high student turnover.

Rhode Island (RI): 🟢 Health status is currently low-risk.

South Carolina (SC): 🟡 Persistent Norovirus clusters in coastal districts.

South Dakota (SD): 🟢 Low viral activity across the state.

Tennessee (TN): 🔴 ALERT: Sharp spike in pediatric respiratory infections in Nashville.

Texas (TX): 🟡 Moderate spread; several districts reporting bus driver shortages due to illness.

Utah (UT): 🟢 Generally low activity with minimal health alerts.

Vermont (VT): 🟢 Health offices reporting high attendance.

Virginia (VA): 🟡 Rising reports of mild gastrointestinal illness.

Washington (WA): 🟡 Moderate Influenza B activity in the Seattle area.

Washington, D.C. (DC): 🔴 ALERT: High viral load in urban schools; masking recommended if symptomatic.

West Virginia (WV): 🟢 Activity levels are currently in a low “trough.”

Wisconsin (WI): 🟡 Rising Norovirus reports; focus on classroom sanitization.

Wyoming (WY): 🟢 Low illness activity; stable attendance.

🦠 WHAT’S GOING AROUND IN SCHOOLS

Influenza (Flu):

Influenza B is the current dominant strain. It typically presents with high fever and sudden fatigue. It is moving quickly through elementary school classrooms.

Norovirus (Stomach Bug):

This is the primary cause of sudden school absences today. It is highly contagious in cafeterias and common areas. Hand sanitizer is often ineffective; stick to soap and water.

RSV / Common Colds:

We are seeing a lingering “tail” of RSV in Pre-K and Kindergarten students. It manifests as deep congestion that can interfere with sleep and classroom focus.

🧠 SHOULD YOUR CHILD STAY HOME?

🚀 Check Your School Status Now

Daily School Status Checker – Is My School Open Today? link is here:

https://www.schools-closings.com/daily-school-status-checker/

Check your school’s status in real-time based on current weather conditions. Our Daily School Status Checker analyzes National Weather Service data to help students and parents determine if schools are likely open, delayed, or closed today.

Simply enter your zip code to see current weather conditions, active alerts, and school status predictions for your area. Updated in real-time throughout the day.