Virus outbreak 'all but over'

A suspected outbreak of the contagious norovirus at an Auckland geriatric home is all but over says the home's manager.

The outbreak is suspected of killing two elderly patients and making nearly 20 sick at the St Andrew's Village home in suburban Glendowie.

One wing of the home had been placed in quarantine but manager Janice Grigor said staff and elderly patients who had contracted the virus were all recovering.

Two more staff and patients were suspected of having the virus yesterday but it had yet to be confirmed and they were all recovering.

"Those who contracted it earlier are fully recovered and the others are all recovering.

"We have nobody we have any concerns about at all. People are getting better."

She said one wing was still isolated and staff and residents were asked to regularly wash their hands and follow strict hygiene procedures.

The village has 180 residents in six wings.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service said the outbreak would not be confirmed as norovirus until next week but all the signs pointed to it.

The two residents who died were already unwell when they contracted the virus, a spokeswoman said.

She said Norovirus was contagious and common in the community, especially among the elderly and ill.

- NZPA