Number of gastrointestinal illnesses at University of Guelph rising but at a slower pace

New cases of gastrointestinal illness are still being reported by students at the University of Guelph, but the rate of increase has started to slow down.

On Thursday, 255 cases were reported, up from 243 on Tuesday.

The first few cases were reported on Jan. 6, then quickly rose to 60 on Jan. 8 and had more than tripled to 190 by Jan. 10.

The university has said the majority of the cases are in South Residence, but they've also been reported in other residences.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health says there is one lab-confirmed case of norovirus. In an interview on Jan. 10, medical officer of health Dr. Nicola Mercer said they suspected it was norovirus given how quickly it was being spread through residence.

"In fact, just a tiny, like a pin drop, like the head of a pin, if it gets on your hands and if you consume it, it can give you norovirus. So you get terrible vomiting, like all of a sudden, you have to vomit," she said.

People may also experience diarrhea, although symptoms are often short lived, between 12 and 48 hours, she said.

"But it is really nasty," Mercer said, adding it's also a difficult virus to kill.

Social events in residence on pause

In a statement on Thursday, public health told CBC News: "We're continuing to work with the university. There continues to be cases on campus."

The university said it has taken action, including frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces, like doorknobs and washrooms, with substances meant to kill norovirus. As well, large social events in residence have been put on pause.

Earlier this month, the Public Health Agency of Canada said it's seeing higher-than-expected case counts of norovirus — a common cause of diarrhea and vomiting especially during the winter months.

"We're encouraging everyone to maintain good hand hygiene, stay home when ill and seek medical care if necessary," a public health spokesperson said on Thursday.