Jennifer Sizemore, spokeswoman for the Clark County Health District, yesterday said the total number of cases since Dec. 3 edged up to 1,609. More than 100 cases a week were sometimes reported earlier in the outbreak.

Nevada officials have said they will classify the outbreak as over when the number of cases drops to two or three each week for a one-month period.

Most of those who have become ill are from Hawai'i. That reflects the desert resort’s unofficial designation as Hawai'i’s favorite vacation destination and the popularity of the California, which caters to Island visitors with all the comforts of home.

Sizemore said the news is encouraging but health officials will not call the outbreak over at the resort until it reaches an average rate of illness of two or three cases a week. "We’re not there yet," she said.

Most of those who became ill experienced one or two days of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea — believed to be caused by a norovirus, which cannot be treated with medication. For most people, the illness goes away after a day or two of extreme discomfort, but some people have sought medical help from emergency rooms and even been hospitalized.

The health district has a new phone number for reporting illnesses, because of a schedule change in their system unrelated to the outbreak. That number is (702) 759-1300.

The hotel has lost business because of the illness but has responded with increased cleaning, including the use of hospital-grade disinfectants and reminders to visitors to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the restroom and before eating.