Georgetown University reported Saturday morning that they are continuing to monitor reported cases of students with symptoms of norovirus on their main campus.
After more than 90 students reported gastrointestinal illness symptoms since Tuesday, the university confirmed Friday the illness was caused by norovirus. The university said fewer than 15 were taken to area emergency departments, and a smaller subset of those individuals received IV rehydration.
University officials said that crews are "deep cleaning and sanitizing of rooms of affected individuals and all common or shared spaces in our campus residential facilities."
As of Saturday, at least 46 student rooms have been cleaned.
In addition, they are urging students who feel sick to "stay home, avoid social gatherings or events, and do not attend class or arrive for work."
They are also extending the hours of our quarantine meal delivery service to 8 p.m. Affected students may request general support, including meal delivery and hydration, by attesting to their symptoms via GU360.
Norovirus can spread “if you eat food or drink liquids that are contaminated with the norovirus, touch surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then put your fingers in your mouth, or have direct contact with someone who is infected with norovirus,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Georgetown stated that to help prevent transmission, the CDC recommends thorough handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting shared surfaces and washing used laundry. A person usually develops symptoms 12-48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1-3 days.
Students should report any symptoms via the GU360 Daily Health Attestation.