GATINEAU, QUE. — One hundred and seventy students at Ecole Carle in Gatineau have come down with a gastro-intestinal illness, prompting the Draveurs School Board to close the school Friday.

About 90 elementary students out of 417 called in sick Thursday morning, with the number almost doubling over the course of the day. Teachers wore masks and gloves to care for the sick children, many of whom remained at the school for the day until their parents could pick them up.

The school and daycare on the grounds will be closed Friday to allow a cleaning crew to disinfect the entire building. 

Classes are expected to resume on Monday.