THE cause of a gastro outbreak, which left almost 100 residents of an Ulverstone aged care home in lockdown, is yet to be determined.

Gastroenteritis has been raging through Eliza Purton Home for the past two weeks, infecting more than 50 residents and 30 staff.

Yesterday six residents were still on the sick list but no new cases had been reported in the previous 36 hours, prompting management at the home to hope the worst was behind them.

The sick residents had to be kept isolated in their rooms during the outbreak because of the highly infectious nature of the illness.

Eliza Purton Home general manager Malcolm Johnson said they seemed to be coming to the end of it.

"Normal process is to wait four days before we consider we're clear of an outbreak like this," Mr Johnson said.

"We don't have the pathology back yet so we don't know for sure, but gastro is in the community as well."

"We would assume it came in that way," Mr Johnson said.

He said staff were working extra shifts to cope, and had employed personal protection protocols, which included donning gloves, masks and aprons to care for sick residents.

Family and friends have been asked to stay away from the home.

Visitation was restricted to emergency situations only.

"While we've been in lockdown mode the staff have coped remarkably well and have worked beyond the call of duty," Mr Johnson said.

Department of Health and Human Services communicable disease prevention unit general manager Dr Avner Misrachi said he was aware of the Eliza Purton outbreak and it did not indicate any significant broader problem.

Source: The Advocate - Tasmania