The administrator of Rainycrest Home for the Aged is hopeful the facility will reopen to visitors by next week as the number of residents suffering from a Norwalk-like virus dwindles.
“Things are getting much better,” Jill Colquhoun said Friday morning. “Right now, there’s 14 residents that are ill, two of which are new cases.”
On Wednesday, 27 residents showed symptoms of the gastroentritis virus. By Thursday, that number was down to 17.
“Hopefully, by Monday, we’ll be open to visitors,” noted Colquhoun, chalking the improvement in patient numbers to conscientious efforts by Rainycrest staff.
Ill residents also have been fed a diet of as much soup, juice, ginger ale, and Jell-O as they request.
Symptoms of the Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Infected people usually recover in two-three days without serious or long-term health effects.
On the advice of the Northwestern Health Unit, Rainycrest announced late Tuesday it would not allow family and friends of residents to visit until the situation improved.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
