Business & Tech
Senior Care Facility Struck by Illness Back to Normal
Routines are resumed at Country Villa following health scare earlier this week.
A Novato nursing home returned to normal operations Wednesday night after a norovirus outbreak had kept the healthcare facility under restrictions since last week, according to center administrators.
Eighty-one cases, including 65 residents and 16 staff members, of the gastro intestinal illness were reported at the since Nov. 10, said Shanna Cronan, senior public health nurse with the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control program in the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services.
Visitors and admissions to the facility at 1565 Hill Road had been prohibited since Nov. 15, Cronan said.
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The health department lifted restrictions as of Wednesday night at 10:30 p.m., center administrators said.
The illness that also can include abdominal cramps, low fever and diarrhea typically lasts 24 to 48 hours, Cronan said.
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Center officials said the illness has no long-term health effects. The health department's decision to lift restrictions could not have come with better timing, said Darron Treude, the healthcare center's administrator in a statement Wednesday.
"...This will provide the opportunity for our residents and their families and friends to be together for the Thanksgiving celebration," he said.
— Bay City News Service
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Country Villa Novato Healthcare sent out this release on Thanksgiving morning:
returned to normal operations at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. The facility had been operating under restrictions imposed by the Marin Health and Human Services Agency as a result of a .
County public health officials advised Country Villa management of the decision late Wednesday. The county acknowledged the “…diligent efforts toward the prevention and control” of the norovirus by the Country Villa staff. “Your dedication to the health, safety and well being of your residents, staff and the community is admirable,” according to the county letter.
When the highly-contagious gastrointestinal illness was discovered in mid-November, the Novato facility was directed to impose prevention and control measures resulting in restricted activities for residents and limiting visitors to the facility.
Most people who become infected with norovirus recover within two or three days with no long-term health effects.
At no time was the Novato facility placed under the more stringent quarantine regulations, as some reports indicated.
“We are delighted to receive this news, especially since this will provide the opportunity for our residents and their families and friends to be together for the Thanksgiving celebration,” said Darron Treude, administrator of the Novato facility. “We look forward to a very special day with all of our residents.”
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