The Beltline Bar, a Grand Rapids Michigan Fixture is at the center of an outbreak investigation. According to the Grand Rapids Press, at least 10 individuals have called the health department reporting symptoms of norovirus.
The Kent County Health Department says it received more than a dozen calls from people who said they ate at the Beltline Bar last weekend and became ill. Department spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante tells The Grand Rapids Press (http://bit.ly/1m7MRi6 ) the symptoms were consistent with norovirus.
There was no answer early Thursday at a telephone listing for the restaurant.
This message was posted at the Beltline Bar’s Facebook page:
Dear Valued Customers & Friends,
My name is Jeff Lobdell, I am the owner of the Beltline Bar. Tonight it was reported that the restaurant is being investigated for a possible norovirus incident that may have happened over the weekend. Nothing like this has happened in the restaurant’s 60 year history, but we are taking this very seriously. The health, wellness and safety our guests and staff is the most important thing to us. We serve as many as 1000 people a day & pride ourselves on our many years of exemplary sanitation and safety. This single incident is a reminder that the norovirus, which has become more prevalent in all public places is very powerful and there that you can never be too cautious. We want to thank the Health Department in their assistance in helping us ensure that we go above and beyond all suggested measures to protect our patrons and employees. I ask that anyone who thinks that may have possibly been affected by this situation personally call me at (616-235-8640) so I can make it right. Your patronage & support is appreciated at this difficult time not only by myself, but also our staff members.
The best follow-up comment on the page is from Janet M Sanders:
They need to screen there employees better when they call out sick! Unless you were infected by the norovirus and lost three days if work from it , I don’t think you can say the whole thing was handled well! How about paying wages and cleaning costs for those affected.