CLARK COUNTY, Ohio -- Officials said about a third of students at a Clark County school did not attend classes on Tuesday after concerns of the H1N1 virus have spread through the community.

News Center 7’s Mark Bruce said he has learned that there are two suspected cases of the H1N1 virus at Northridge School.

Also, a handful of students were sent home because they showed some flu-like symptoms. A total of 300 students were absent on Tuesday as the fear of the virus gripped the community.

Hundreds of phone calls poured into Northridge Elementary and Middle schools from parents, all asking about the H1N1 virus that one student is recovering from at home.

CLARK CO: H1N1 Concerns (Mark Bruce)
CLARK CO: H1N1 Tracking (Mark Bruce)

However, once parents asked questions, the concerns of many seemed to go away.

Collette Stewart, who is a Northridge parent, said, “They are being safe than sorry. They believe they are not going to any chances and I respect that. That is why I came to get answers myself.”

Stewart said she got the answers and her child will return to school on Wednesday.

Many parents are worried that the building is not safe after it was confirmed over the weekend that an eighth-grader is recovering from a case of the H1N1 virus.

However, school officials said the building is as safe and healthy as they can make it.

Parent Samantha Owens said, “I got a lot of information. A lot of stuff to put my mind at ease.”

During a meeting on Tuesday morning with parents, school leaders and officials from the Clark County Health Department tried to clear the air.

They said no one was in the building over the weekend except for a cleaning crew.

Health Commissioner Charles Patterson said, “The kids are back to school that do not have the virus. That is why we are monitoring to make sure we don’t have sick individuals in the school building.”

Patterson said members of his staff will be following up with any student who shows symptoms of the flu, and if necessary, testing will done.

News Center 7 talked with the district’s superintendent who said every absence will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Healthy students who stayed home will likely be given an unexcused absence with no penalty.

There is a meeting at the school tonight at 7 p.m. to answer any other questions.