UPDATED 12.11pm: A Hastings District Councillor believes the gastro bug in Havelock North could have been contained much quicker, if it was declared a Civil Defence emergency.
So far 62 people have been confirmed to have contracted the bug, and another 63 are considered to have probable cases.
Of that, 22 people remain in hospital and two in intensive care.
Those in Havelock North are being told to continue boiling water, and to stay away from workplaces for 24 to 48 hours.
READ MORE:Â Hastings District Council admits fault in gastro outbreak
It has closed all schools and day-cares in the township, and at least one restaurant, Mamacita, shut its doors last night to customers.
Test results back today will confirm whether it was animal or human faeces which caused the contamination.
Councillor Wayne Bradshaw said the council was very slow to react to the crisis.
"I honestly believe that this should have been treated as a Civil Defence and we should have got Civil Defence organisation into swing as soon as we knew, which should have been around Thursday."
"The outcome could have been a hell of a lot different."
E-coli was detected in a Havelock North water bore in October last year, and Bradshaw is asking questions over why lessons weren't learnt.
"That well was closed down, and the other two wells where were this infection came from, so we don't appear to have learnt from last year."
The Hastings District Council has set up a welfare line to provide emergency assistance to those struggling with the gastro outbreak in Havelock North.
Red Cross and Civil Defence have now been called in, and will be door knocking around the township offering help.
A vet liaison is also on standby.
However, Tukituki electorate MP Craig Foss said the worst of it now seems to be over, with few new cases coming in.
"Hopefully the DHB believe it has peaked yesterday, and hopefully today with the incubation period, there were clear tests last Thursday but that remains to be seen."
People requiring urgent welfare support can call the council on 871 5000 and ask for the welfare line.
For medical problems that require non-urgent attention people should phone the Healthline (0800 611 116) or a GP.
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