By Lindsey Doi

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Attendance rates in Roseburg are returning to normal after the H1N1 virus surged through the Roseburg School District, causing a record spike in absences several weeks ago.

The Superintendent says absences dropped back into the normal range last week. He says most schools have about six percent of students out sick, with all schools staying under the 10-percent mark.

That's a big difference from three weeks ago, when most Roseburg schools had at least 12 percent of their students absent. Several schools even breached the 20-percent mark, prompting some to wonder about a mass swine flu outbreak. Luckily, however, those numbers took a nosedive last week.

The Superintendent warns that the future is still uncertain. The regular flu season typically begins in November, so school officials say they're keeping their guard up in case sickness levels spike again.

The Superintendent credits parents for the drop in absentee rates. He says families are doing a great job in keeping sick children home and preventing the spread of the flu.