Norovirus outbreak closes rest-home for 10 days

A Dunedin rest-home was closed for 10 days after a norovirus outbreak that affected more than half its residents.

Fourteen of the 26 residents of the rest-home and dementia unit at St Andrew’s Rest Home and Hospital in Kew were affected by the outbreak, which began on November 15.

Norovirus is highly contagious and a significant cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis, particularly in confined environments.

Presbyterian Support Enliven director Maurice Burrowes confirmed operations returned to normal yesterday.

There had initially been concern it would spread to the hospital care part of the facility, he said.

"Fortunately, it was contained to one area, which was good."

No patients were admitted to hospital as a result of the outbreak.

The outbreak followed a norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship that visited Dunedin recently.

Twenty passengers on Noordam were experiencing norovirus symptoms when it visited Dunedin on November 17.

daisy.hudson@odt.co.nz

 

Comments

Passengers can still mingle in town when ill?

 

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