Arkhangelsk schools face quarantine rumors amid flu outbreak
Health officials report increased ARVI cases among children, prompting remote learning for affected classes.
The incidence of ARVI among children has increased in the Arkhangelsk region. Over the past week, 4.5 thousand minor patients were diagnosed with it. Online reports claim that entire schools are switching to remote learning due to the infection. We found out if this is true.
According to the Arkhangelsk Region Office of Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing), from January 19 to January 25, 2026, 9,745 cases of ARVI were registered in the region (including 253 cases of flu).
«Among children, 4,663 cases of ARVI and flu were registered, including 63 cases of flu. Compared to the previous week, the incidence growth rate was 20.2%,» the agency reported.
It was specified that 55 children were hospitalized.
The incidence rate of flu and ARVI for the entire population was 102 per 10,000 people, which is 20.9% below the epidemic threshold.
Information about the rise in incidence appeared in the media. Some outlets reported that several schools in Arkhangelsk are completely switching to remote learning. These statements were denied by the city administration.
«If 20% of students are absent due to viral illnesses (flu, ARVI), the class is switched to remote learning. If there are many such groups, Rospotrebnadzor may issue an order to close the educational institution. In Arkhangelsk, no school has yet approached this threshold,» said Irina Chirkova, deputy head of the city for social issues.
According to the city administration, 19 classes from various schools in the city have been switched to remote learning. There are 1,562 classes in the city in total.
«Dear parents, at the first signs of ARVI in your child, do not take them to school or kindergarten. This will help prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the burden on educational institutions,» asked the deputy of Dmitry Morev.
Despite the high incidence, many people carry colds «on their feet,» considering a runny nose and fever as minor symptoms. However, such tactics are a major mistake that can lead to serious consequences. We have already explained why it is necessary to stay home at the first signs of ARVI.
