Orcas School superintendent Barbara Kline told the school board last night one of her students is home sick with the flu that may be the H1N1 strain.

San Juan County public health reported Thursday there are three cases of type A influenza confirmed in the county by a “quick test” which are suspected to be H1N1.

According to San Juan County Health, a positive quick test has been shown to indicate H1N1 approximately 98 percent of the time. H1N1 can only be absolutely confirmed if a person is at least hospitalized. Also, negative test results are not considered reliable and other cases of H1N1 may have escaped detection.

Health and Community Services director John Manning expects more cases of influenza to be reported in San Juan County.

“I think we haven’t peaked yet,” Manning told the Islands’ Sounder.

Manning says public health and the schools are doing their best to slow the spread of influenza. They ask those feeling ill to stay home from work and school.

“We’re working pretty closely with the schools,” Manning said.

Kline said the students and teachers are taking precautions against spread of the flu. Everyone is washing hands often and more kids and staff are staying home when they’re not feeling well to protect the school community.

The county will post updated information about the availability of flu vaccine and resources for schools, child care providers, and medical professionals at http://sanjuanco.com/flu as information is available.