Good News from Interior Health – the norovirus outbreak in Kamloops was officially declared over today.

In all, 81 people were affected at Hillside Psychiatric Centre and four wards in the hospital, the most recent at 5 North

Interior Health Spokesperson Susan Duncan says the outbreak this year was unusual, with the virus particularly difficult to get under control.

“It was reflective of what was happening in the community,” Duncan said. “A lot of people were sick in the community and then they would have to come to the hospital and it spread from there.”

“What the problem is with norovirus is that it is an extremely difficult virus to get rid off. It can live on hard surfaces for many, many weeks.”

Duncan added they don’t have a definitive cause on what caused the outbreak, which was first reported on January 30.

The outbreak lasted three weeks, and also affected two seniors homes – Pinegrove Lodge and Berwick on the Park.

At a previous update on February 11, Interior Health Spokesperson Brad Buie said at least 144 people across the four facilities had fallen ill with the norovirus.