NE Bend retirement facility stricken by virus

Three residents at Bend’s Stone Lodge Retirement Community have been hospitalized for a flu-related virus, officials said Saturday.

According to Brian Fawkes, a spokesman for Stone Lodge’s parent company, Holiday Retirement, the senior complex on Northeast 27th Street is currently under “infectious disease protocol.”

“We need to close down our kitchen and completely disinfect it,” Fawkes said. “We closed down the common areas.

“We restrict guest access coming into the building, but that does not mean people cannot come and go as they please. We canceled all of our activities for residents, and we start tray service – food service into the rooms.”

Stone Lodge is not an assisted living retirement center, but an independent living complex for seniors. Residents and families have been notified about the illnesses and protocol.

Deschutes County Public Health has not yet confirmed what the flu strain is or what their role has been during this preliminary stage.

Similar steps were taken last month at Bend’s Aspen Ridge Retirement Community after more than 30 residents and staff members fell ill, at least some due to norovirus, a contagious virus that can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Others had more flu-like symptoms.