Updated Feb. 16, 9:57 p.m.

Student Health Service offered a five-hour block of free walk-in assistance at Thurston Hall this afternoon to help treat students suffering from the norovirus outbreak.

A nurse practitioner was stationed on the first floor of the residence hall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Student Health Service’s existing satellite office to answer students’ questions and perform triage.

Isabel Goldenberg, medical director of Student Health Service, said the office “chose Thurston because it houses freshman students who may need more support while being sick.”

Office hours have not been scheduled for other locations on campus, Dean of Students Peter Konwerski said.

A public health notice issued by the University Wednesday estimated that about 85 students had been affected by the virus. University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard declined to provide an updated case total Thursday, saying it was difficult to measure because most students have decided to stay home and wait out the virus after learning about the outbreak.

Symptoms of the norovirus – passed through contact with infected individuals or contaminated areas – include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and stomach cramping.

There are no plans to cancel classes.

“We continue to clean and spread the word about hand washing and other prevention protocols that help stop the spread of the
norovirus,” Konwerski said.