Norovirus outbreak in Kamloops forces temporary closure of restaurant

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – An outbreak of norovirus that sickened more than three dozen staff at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C., has been traced to a restaurant in that southern Interior city.

Interior Health says Dorian Greek House has been closed temporarily after the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff became ill last week, several days after attending a party catered by the restaurant.

The illnesses forced cancellation of 26 elective surgeries last Thursday and Friday, but the hospital confirms a full slate of operations had resumed by Monday.

Medical Health Officer Dr. Rob Parker says a second event was catered by Dorian on Dec. 13, before the norovirus link was identified, and several more people reported vomiting and diarrhea by Sunday.

Restaurant owner Dianne Docolous also says seven of her staff have contracted the virus, but Parker says adults usually recover from the worst symptoms within a few days.

Docolous says the eatery will remain closed while it undergoes a complete cleaning and receives permission from the health authority to reopen. (CFJC, CHNL)