By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
October 17, 2026
TOFOL, Kosrae — Kosrae’s public schools remain closed as health officials continue monitoring an outbreak of influenza-like illness, although the latest situation report indicates that the number of cases is declining.
In response to an inquiry from The Kaselehlie Press, the Kosrae Governor’s Office confirmed that schools have not reopened and that officials are awaiting recommendations from Public Health Services before making a decision.
“The schools have yet to open pending recommendations from Public Health Services,” the Governor’s Office said. “At the moment, the latest situation report indicates an improvement in the numbers of cases, but the Kosrae Department of Health still needs more time to monitor the situation before they can provide their recommendations.”
Governor Tulensa W. Palik ordered the temporary suspension of in-person classes and school-sponsored gatherings at all Kosrae public schools beginning at noon October 9, following elevated reports of influenza-like illness.
Executive Order No. 02-26, signed October 7, set no reopening date. It provides for the suspension to continue until further written direction from the governor.
The order cited an October 5 Department of Health and Social Services situation report showing that cases remained above the department’s alert threshold of 38 during epidemiological weeks 38 through 40. In week 40, authorities recorded 71 cases.
The health department recommended temporary school closures to reduce transmission. The Governor’s Cabinet supported that recommendation to protect students, school personnel, their families, and the wider community.
The latest response from the Governor’s Office suggests that the preventive measures will remain in effect while health officials assess whether the improvement in reported cases is sufficient to recommend reopening schools. The office did not provide updated case numbers or an anticipated reopening date.
As an immediate measure ahead of the closures, the executive order directed the Department of Education to distribute face masks to schools and allow students and staff affected by the illness to remain home.
The Director of Education was assigned responsibility for implementing the suspension, notifying school administrators, employees, parents, and guardians, and issuing instructions on staff attendance and essential school operations. The order also calls for learning to continue where practicable.
Health officials must maintain surveillance of influenza-like illness and provide regular assessments to the governor. In consultation with the education director, the health director is to advise whether the closures remain necessary and what conditions would allow in-person classes to resume.
The mandatory suspension applies only to public schools. Private schools were strongly advised to consider equivalent preventive measures in consultation with the health and education departments.
The executive order describes the closures as a temporary preventive administrative measure rather than a declaration of a state of emergency.
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