(ABC 6 News) – The Forest City Community School District announced that it will move to e-learning instruction on Feb. 22 and 23 due to widespread illnesses at the schools.

According to a statement from the district, officials noticed increasing levels of influenza, strep and stomach flu.

The district states that more than 10% of elementary students have called in absent this week, with increased student absences at Forest City Middle and High Schools.

Similar reports have taken place across Iowa. According to the state’s Department of Health, 58 schools have seen 10% or more of their student body out sick, including one school in Hancock, three in Winnebago and two in Worth County.

The district’s schools will be closed to students and staff between Thursday, Feb. 22 to Friday, Feb. 22.

However, in-season school activities will practices and the Forest City High School Pops concert will continue as scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Classes will return to in-person setting on Monday, Feb. 26, however, the elementary school will dismiss at 12:50 p.m. and the middle and high schools shall dismiss at 1 p.m., “so that fans can travel to the Girls State Basketball tournament.”

The district encourages families to monitor their students health.

Learning spaces will be disinfected and deep cleaned during the e-learning days.

Elementary students are asked to perform packets three and four by Monday. Middle and High school students should refer to their Google Classrooms (fifth graders will refer to their class websites) for instruction.