Gastro at nursing home
’Up to 12 residents’ affected by suspected outbreak in Belmont facility
A GEELONG nursing home is still on partial lockdown after residents and staff members were struck down by a suspected gastro outbreak over the weekend.
A dozen residents and two staff members at Belmont’s Uniting AgeWell Nangatta residential aged care facility were hit by the suspected gas- troenteritis outbreak over the weekend.
Uniting AgeWell spokeswoman Rebecca Ryan confirmed the “small, contained outbreak”.
“I can advise that up to 12 residents have exhibited symptoms and two staff members,” Ms Ryan said. “No one has required hospitalisation.”
“The outbreak is being managed within Uniting AgeWell and Department of Health and Human Services infection control guidelines and there is no cause for undue concern,” she said.
Ms Ryan said the nursing home was placed on partial lockdown during the outbreak.
“While infection control protocols are still in place, visitor access will remain restricted,” she said yesterday.
Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Bram Alexander confirmed the department was aware of “a number of cases of suspected viral gastroenteritis” at the facility.
“All the appropriate meas- ures are being taken to reduce any further transmission within the nursing home,” Mr Alexander said.
“Gastroenteritis illnesses are very common in the community, especially at this time of the year.
“This is a timely reminder to everyone that washing their hands before visiting loved ones in nursing homes or similar settings is extremely important.”
It is the latest gastro outbreak to hit a local nursing home, after 21 residents at Grovedale’s Homestyle Belmont Grange nursing home fell sick with gastro during a March outbreak.
A nursing home source at the time told the Geelong Advertiser the number of people who had contracted gastro was closer to 30, while the Department of Health confirmed one had been hospitalised.
“No one has required hospitalisation.” UNITING AGEWELL SPOKESWOMAN REBECCA RYAN