Local News in Brief : Afflicted Students Return
Water, food and bugs were not to blame for a mysterious outbreak that sent 91 West Covina students to area hospitals, officials said Tuesday.
Ninety of the students from Rincon Junior High School were back in school Tuesday, a day after they were treated for rashes, swollen eyes, blisters, stomach cramps or breathing difficulties following physical education classes, said Diane Ho, a spokeswoman for the Rowland Unified School District.
Soil samples were taken Tuesday, and physicians were to interview the students, Ho said, adding, “Hopefully we will find out something and solve this mystery.”
School district officials believe the students came in contact with the contaminant on the playground Monday morning. But experts called in by the district have ruled out water, herbicides, bugs, grass and school-prepared food.
One student, who has asthma, remained overnight in a hospital.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
