Quarantine hits hospital

The San Mateo County Health Department quarantined the Bonnie Brae senior living facility Friday after approximately 80 of its 150 residents became ill from an outbreak of norovirus, which causes diarrhea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems. Residents and patients are not allowed to exit their rooms and visitors are prohibited.

The affected patients at the medical center are primarily in unit 1A of the long-term care area on the main campus, located at 222 W. 29th Ave. A few patients are also affected in the regular nursing unit, according to a statement released yesterday by the medical center.

The medical center noticed symptoms last week and contacted public health, which confirmed the norovirus. Patients are at different stages of the virus but the medical center requires the quarantine three days past symptoms to be considered clear.

"The norovirus outbreak isn’t unusual. It’s unfortunate and miserable, but it is not unusual,” said San Mateo Medical Center spokesman David Hook.

The last outbreak at the medical center was either last winter or the one previous, Hook said.

Meanwhile residents at Bonnie Brae are getting restless as the independent living facility, at 2200 Carlmont Drive, enters its fifth day of quarantine.

The house computer was removed and is not available for use. Social activities were canceled and gatherings are not permitted in residents’ rooms or common areas. Smokers, however, are permitted to go outside. Meals and mail are delivered to rooms, said resident Gary Peterson.

Peterson is not allowed to leave Bonnie Brae to attend four regularly scheduled doctor appointments Thursday at the San Mateo Medical Center. He was forced to reschedule the appointments to Wednesday.

He is relying on his sense of humor to get through the quarantine. Yesterday he put a sign on his door that read "cell block #9,” he said.

Peterson is considering a lawsuit against Bonnie Brae for keeping him quarantined, but not requiring staff members to adhere to the same quarantine.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause stomach flu symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps.

The illness usually lasts one to two days without any long-term health effects, according to the Center for Disease Control.

It spreads through contaminated food or liquids, by touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then placing that hand in one’s mouth, or through direct contact with someone who is infected and showing symptoms. It commonly hits military and cruise ships but outbreaks also occur on land at day-care facilities, hospitals and schools.

Bonnie Brae will remain under quarantine until the last person with symptoms is well, said Beverly Thames, spokeswoman for the San Mateo County Health Department.

Bonnie Brae is an independent living facility with 164 total units.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.