A highly contagious stomach and intestinal virus has sickened dozens of residents and staff at a Chula Vista retirement community.
San Diego County Health officials say tests revealed that Fredericka Manor at 183 Third Ave. tested positive for two cases of norovirus, not the stomach flu as had been previously reported by the retirement facility.
“They both have similar symptoms,” said Joe Alvarez, a communications specialist for the county of San Diego about the flu and norovirus symptoms.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, health officer for the county of San Diego, said as of Wednesday 40 residents and 11 staff members had contracted the virus and displayed the common symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
She said the last reported set of symptoms for residents was March 26 while a staff member reported symptoms on March 31.
Wooten said usually symptoms resolve themselves in about three days, and that it’s important for patients to keep hydrated during this time.
The virus hospitalized three residents but they have returned to the senior living community in good health, Wooten said.
Craig Summer, executive director at Fredericka Manor, said no one on staff had been hospitalized.
He declined to comment on whether he had experienced any symptoms of the virus.
Wooten said the virus is relatively common in the community, especially where groups of people gather.
“We do see (the virus) in long-term care facilities,” she said. Wooten said norovirus is the same virus found on cruise ships.
Summer said Fredericka Manor notified the County Health Department on March 18 of a possible stomach virus. He said since then he has been working with the county to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Essentially what we have done is discontinued group activities and group meals,” he said.
He said other preventive measures include the closure of dining rooms and extra disinfection in the kitchen and vital communication with residents regarding signs and symptoms and practices to prevent the illness.
He also said the facility removed shared food items like coffee pots and water jars.
A Fredericka spokesperson on Thursday said the safeguards will be in effect at least until Tuesday, April 7.
Summer said this isn’t the first time the virus has attacked the senior living facility.
“It’s happened before,” he said. “It doesn’t happen very often but it has happened before.
Summer said he couldn’t remember the last time the norovirus struck Fredericka Manor.
Wooten said residents and staff should let the virus run its course.
“There is no need to worry,” she said. “This virus does occur frequently in the community.”
