Admission procedures at Squamish General Hospital (SGH) and Hilltop House returned to normal on Dec. 23 after an outbreak of Norovirus at the hospital.

The outbreak protocol — which included no new hospital admissions or visitations — were put in place on Dec. 13 after six patients and six staff at the hospital came down with the gastrointestinal illness.

Restrictions on new admissions and visitations at the neighbouring Hilltop House seniors care facility also were in place during the outbreak, Anna Marie D'Angelo, Vancouver Coastal Health spokesperson, said on Friday (Dec. 28). The emergency department at the hospital remained open during the outbreak, but cases of serious illness were being referred to the Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver.

During the outbreak, hospital officials accepted no transfers or admissions to the hospital and care facility unless absolutely necessary. On Dec. 23, all 12 people who had contract Norovirus were declared as having been symptom-free for 48 hours.

Norovirus is highly contagious. It can be transferred by ingesting contaminated food and water or by person-to-person contact. People infected with Norovirus can spread it once they feel ill and for up to two days after the symptoms subside.

For more information visit www.vch.ca.