New London — Because of "a number of students testing positive for the flu," Mitchell College has canceled classes and school-sanctioned events from 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday, the Office of Academic Affairs informed the college community in an email Thursday afternoon. The Department of Athletics will provide information on games and practices.

"We've never had the flu move through so quickly before, so this is new territory for us," Mitchell College Interim Co-President Mary-Jane McLaughlin told The Day. She said about 10% of the college's 369 residential students have the flu.

"We hope the extra few days of limited exposure to others will decrease the cases of flu in our community," the letter said. "It is our hope that this proactive measure will also enable us to take preventative measures in our facilities in efforts to avoid further spread."

To minimize the impact of the flu, the college has been monitoring classroom absences and the director of residence life has initiated a protocol to minimize exposure, the letter said. The college said anyone returning to class or activities should be symptom-free for 24 hours but noted its quarantine space is limited.

"We strongly encourage any student with a confirmed case to return home and/or vacate for the weekend if at all possible," the letter said. "We understand the hardship this places on some. However, the health and safety of our community, including protection of vulnerable members of our population, is our first priority."

The college expects those who stay on campus to do "vigilant handwashing" and disinfect their living spaces. McLaughlin also said the facilities staff will be busy disinfecting classrooms, common buildings, the gymnasium and the dining hall.

Those who remain in residence halls must notify their hall director or email housing@mitchell.edu, and the meal schedule from Friday to Monday will be brunch and dinner only.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has reported 1,036 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 23 flu-related deaths this season — since Aug. 25, 2019 — but no pediatric deaths. The state said 7.39% of outpatients were reporting flu-like illness for the week of Jan. 19-25, up from 5.87% the previous week.

The department said flu-like illness consists of a cough and/or sore throat plus a fever above 100 degrees "in the absence of a known cause."

Connecticut College has not seen a spike in flu cases on its campus, college spokesperson Tiffany Thiele said by email Thursday. "We will as always continue to monitor for any changes, and we encourage our campus community to take precautionary measures to avoid illness."

e.moser@theday.com