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Hotel receives clean bill of health

Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites in Victoria site of norovirus outbreak

Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites in Victoria has received a clean bill of health from Vancouver Island Health Authority after successful clean-up efforts after the Norwalk virus broke out among guests.

Journalism students attending a national convention at the hotel started getting sick Jan. 14.

"The Harbour Towers administration and staff were very cooperative in assisting public health in our investigation of the outbreak, took steps to avoid further spread, and followed the protocols we provided to clean and sanitize their establishment in the wake of the illness," said Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical health officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Health officials asked some students to remain in their rooms if they experienced symptoms. Of the 370 students attending the conference, about 50 to 70 were affected. Of those, 34 extended their stay, and Harbour Towers provided accommodations free-of-charge to those students. The last affected student departed on Jan. 17.