KEY POINTS:
The dreaded stomach bug norovirus has struck at a Taranaki rest home.
Thornleigh Park in New Plymouth is in lockdown and has been excluding all but vital visitors since Monday when 12 people came down with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
Today the Taranaki Daily News reported that three cases remained yesterday.
Management hoped the 40-bed home would open its doors again today.
Norovirus has been sweeping the country for the past few years and has struck at hospitals, rest homes and education facilities.
The newspaper said norovirus was reported to have forced the temporary closure of Taranaki rest homes about eight times since November 2007 and been blamed for the death of one resident in June during an outbreak which saw more than 100 people infected.
It also forced the temporary closure of a ward at Taranaki Base Hospital in November last year.
Brian Cree, chief executive of Radius Healthcare, which owns Thornleigh Park, said although they were still awaiting test results, norovirus had been such a problem it was immediately assumed to be the cause of illness and the appropriate systems put in place.
"It's a national issue," he said.
Mr Cree said it was a particular problem for elderly as they were frail and vulnerable.
- NZPA
