On August 3, 13 residents were diagnosed with the illness. Of those, seven have already recovered while six others are still recovering.

General manager for residential care Stuart James said he has notified the NSW Department of Health and has taken adequate precautions to attend to the residents affected.

``We have provided medical assistance and care, hired additional registered nurses and staff to help,'' he said. ``We chose to close the building because gastroenteritis can be contagious, but we have been in contact with the families of the 255 residents.''

Mr James said the precautions taken were to ensure the illness was contained.

``The number of people affected is diminishing and I think the remaining six patients will be OK quite soon,'' he said.