23 Dec 2011

Gisborne rest home hit with norovirus

6:58 pm on 23 December 2011

A Gisborne rest home hit by a norovirus outbreak will remain closed to visitors until Christmas Day at the earliest.

The Leighton House rest home was closed to visitors two days ago after 22 of the 52 residents and several staff members came down with the illness, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Rest home manager Susan Irwin says another resident has now developed the illness and says a decision will be made on Saturday on whether it will be safe for visitors to see their family members on Christmas Day.