Columbus school staff member dies from flu, schools closed

Schools in Columbus, Kansas will be closed Thursday and Friday after a paraprofessional at Park Elementary School, who had been diagnosed with the flu, then pneumonia, passed away.

School district officials say 20-year-old Kayauna Zabel passed away on Sunday and say her brother is in intensive care for similar symptoms. A disease specialist is investigating any underlying causes of their illness and that they are taking proper steps to keep students safe and protected.