Possible norovirus outbreak at Colby living facility

EVERETT — Eight residents and three staff members at Cascadian Place, an independent living facility for older adults, have become sickened by what health officials suspect is norovirus.

The common virus, sometimes called cruise ship disease, can cause nausea, diarrhea, fever, chills and muscle aches. Symptoms often begin within 12 to 48 hours after exposure.

“It sounds like it’s norovirus,” Heather Thomas, a Snohomish Health District spokeswoman, said Thursday. The agency’s communicable disease staff have sent over fact sheets on the disease and guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “on how to handle the situation and keep everybody as well as possible,” she said.

Cascadian Place is at 3915 Colby Ave. Signs have been posted asking family members “not to visit during this time” as part of an infectious disease protocol, said Brian Fawkes, a spokesman for Portland-based Holiday Retirement, which operates the facility. That’s one of the steps being taken to try to minimize the spread of the intestinal disease, he said.

“We have to make sure we have a clean bill of health,” Fawkes said. “That means no other residents or staff members come down with the virus.”

The eight sickened residents are among 105 people who live there, he said. The three sickened employees are among a staff of 22 people who have become ill. Fawkes said he did not know if anyone has been hospitalized due to the illness.

Residents are being served food in their rooms. The health district has recommended that residents remain in their rooms to try to minimize exposure to the disease. “It can spread quite rapidly,” Thomas said.

Thomas said that if anyone who has been to the facility believes they’ve come down with norovirus or a foodborne illness they should report it to the health district’s communicable disease division at 425-339-5278.

Cascadian’s cafeteria is licensed by the health district. The public health agency’s staff will do an inspection in the next day or to two make sure sanitation protocols are being followed to prevent the virus from spreading, Thomas said.

Norovirus can spread quickly in close living quarters by either eating food or touching surfaces contaminated by the virus.

Sharon Salyer:425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.