APTOS — A highly contagious gastrointestinal virus has been spreading in South Santa Cruz County and has caused at least one school to temporarily close as health authorities urge the public to practice good hygiene to help curb the spread. A spokesperson for the county Health Services Agency told the Sentinel that, as of Friday, 213 cases of norovirus had been reported countywide since mid October. That’s an increase of 25 cases since Wednesday.
A county analysis of local wastewater data, which helps to pinpoint where the spread is most acute, revealed elevated levels of the nasty stomach bug in the Watsonville area, while the Santa Cruz vicinity remained low. No hospitalizations or deaths related to the outbreak had been reported, according to county health. “Because norovirus is very contagious, there is potential for greater community spread,” Santa Cruz County Health Officer Lisa Hernandez said in an emailed statement.
“To stop the spread, it is important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom or before preparing and serving food. Also, stay home if you are sick with norovirus.” In a public health alert issued Nov.
7, county health reported that 93 cases since Nov. 5 had been discovered at a local school. In a letter, also sent Nov.
7, to Pajaro Valley Unified School District parents, Superintendent Heather Contreras announced that Valencia Elementary School would close that Friday out of an abundance of caution due to.
