A wave of common colds — and in some cases severe virus — have struck the Williamsport area, but local health and school officials report the community remains free of Asian influenza.

Absenteeism in schools throughout the count is reported high. The Williamsport School District is counting on a shots-for-teachers program in the hope of keeping schools open as sickness mounts.

Flu vaccine shots were given to 135 Williamsport High School teachers last week. All other school district employees will have shots available as soon as the rest of the supply of vaccine arrives.

“As long as we have a sufficient staff, it is likely we will keep our schools open,” said Dr. Clyde Wurster, director of pupil personnel.

As the school week ended, 10 percent of the pupils in city schools were out because of illness. Under normal circumstances absenteeism would stand at about four percent.

“Thursday and Friday we were excusing between 30 and 40 pupils a day,” Dr. Wurster pointed out. “Most of the youngsters were sent home with high temperatures.

“At first we thought it was just the high school pupils that were affected, but as the week lengthened the situation became just as bad in the elementary grades.”

Officials at St. Joseph’s School and St. Mary’s reported “the usual number of absentees” for this time of year.

At Lycoming College approximately 50 students have reported the college infirmary with severe colds and virus infection. A college official said last night that none of these cases has been diagnosed as Asian flu. The college swimming pool has been closed as a precautionary measure.

Conditions at Lock Haven State Teachers College, where the virus developed some two weeks ago, has returned almost to normal.

The area’s industries have no unusual number of employees reporting off sick.