Officials at two retirement communities are trying to contain an outbreak of a contagious virus.

Last week, the Norovirus spread rapidly through both The Atrium and Oak Hammock retirement communities. Officials with the Alachua County Health Department say the virus is usually spread though contact between people.

The Atrium retirement community has been able to control the virus and were able to go back to business as usual, however Oak Hammock CEO, Catherine Ferguson says they are still working to get the Norovirus contained.

"We've taken precautions to contain the spread of the illness in the nursing facility and in the assistant living area and we've done very well with restricting visitors from coming in," said Ferguson.

Health department officials say it is not uncommon to have the spread of virus like this among communities, but it could easily be prevented if the right precautions are taken.