The norovirus outbreak that struck the campus of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia earlier this week has reportedly grown to some 300 cases, prompting the closure of the school until Monday, according to local media reports.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

According to a post on the college’s officials Facebook page yesterday:

As of 12:30 PM today (Thursday, January 29) afternoon classes are cancelled and administrative offices will close, because of a severe outbreak of a norovirus on campus. Classes will resume and offices will reopen at 8:30 AM on Monday, February 2, weather permitting.

Residence Halls and the Commons will remain open, but the Library and Fitness Center/Leggett Pool will close. The Wellness Center will maintain regular hours today and Friday.

All athletic related activities, including Saturday’s basketball game, all sport practices, weight room lifts, etc. are cancelled until Monday, weather permitting.

Saturday’s Admissions Open House has been cancelled.

Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up.

Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick. Also, you can have norovirus illness many times in your life. Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults.