With over 20 deaths reported in the Tri-Cities region due to influenza, local school systems are looking to bolster their resources and deter the spread of diseases.

Elizabethton City Schools announced during this week’s Board of Education that a new tool is available to help combat diseases — a Clorox Total 360 System.

Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour announced the purchase of the system during Tuesday’s meeting and indicated the move was made due to increased cases of the flu, strep throat and other viruses in schools across the state.

“Our custodians have been working tirelessly to clean and sanitize, but during flu season, we still see more students missing school,” Chief Operating Officer Joey Trent said in a statement issued to the Elizabethton Star. “We hope this will keep our schools even cleaner and will prevent our students from getting the flu.”

According to the product’s website, the system is an electrostatic sprayer paired with Clorox solutions and uses technology to deliver hand sanitizers to different surfaces in a room.

After receiving a test run through Central Office, ECS provided a test run of the product Wednesday afternoon at Harold McCormick Elementary during after-school hours.

Eric Wampler, HME principal, provided a demonstration and indicated the device will help cut the normal time of wiping down rooms by 90 percent and that the system can be an asset for the schools in the district.

While flu cases haven’t caused the school system to shut down for a period of time, which occurred during the 2016-17 school year, Gardenhour added the system will help add a preventative measure with peak flu season still around the bend and to make sure attendance stays in a suitable position.

According to the Northeast Tennessee Regional Health Office, the state is still going through peak flu season and proper precautions need to be followed to help stall the spread of illness.

The TDH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months or older. According to the health office, the vaccines work better against the H1N1 and influenza B viruses, which are circulating in the state.

There are other ways of making sure the disease doesn’t spread, Regional Health Office Medical Director Dr. David Kirschke recently told the Elizabethton Star.

Along with receiving the shot, the director added that individuals experiencing symptoms need to steer clear from going to school or work.  Other tips include using proper “cough etiquette” and routinely washing hands when coming into contact with other individuals.

Currently, the school system is using the Total 360 System before and after school hours at each facility. Individuals can learn more by visiting the Clorox Professional website.