Reported norovirus cases rise to 200

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer said the number of people reported sick after attending weddings last weekend at the Stanhope Beach Resort has now risen to more than 200.  

Dr. Heather Morrison said her office has been dealing with dozens of calls since the news was reported earlier this week of an outbreak of norovirus at the resort near Covehead, P.E.I.  

Initially 115 people reported becoming ill after attending four weddings last weekend. An outbreak also occurred last month.   

Morrison is asking people who have become sick to take measures to prevent further spread through the community.  

"Our advice, certainly in general for any gastrointestinal illness, is that people who do have symptoms should be symptom-free for about 48 hours before they return to work or school," she said. "GI illness outbreaks are quite common... What we are doing here is part of what we do in any outbreak situation."

This is the 19th gastrointestinal illness outbreak on P.E.I. this year, said Morrison.

A health department order that suspended all food and beverage service at Stanhope Beach Resort still remains in effect.

Morrison said she's not sure when that will be lifted, but said health department officials will conduct further tests before the resort gets approved to open.  

She notes management has hired professional companies to help with cleaning and disinfecting the resort. She said the resort has maintained regular contact with P.E.I. health officials.   

Morrison says it will likely be Monday before test results come back on water and food samples taken at the resort.