Eatery in norovirus outbreak to reopen

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - A Holland restaurant, temporarily closed after at least 200 people got sick from a norovirus, will re-open Thursday.

The issue came to light July 28 when Margarita's owner Alonzo Salinas closed the restaurant after the Ottawa County Health Department suggested it.

People who came down with the norovirus last week ate at both the restaurant and its off-site food booth at the Taste of South Shore. Health officials said pre-made cold food, like salad or salsa, is the likely source.

When Margarita's re-opens, there will be changes.

Salinas suspects the food source that triggered the norovirus may have been located in a buffet area where customers can serve themselves. He said the restaurant will no longer offer that type of buffet.

There is still some question as to whether a sick employee at Margarita's was the first link in the chain.

"Probably somebody that was sick handled it," said Shannon Felgner of the Ottawa County Health Department. It might be an employee, she said, "but we don't know for sure."

That means it could have originated from a sick customer.

Regardless, Salinas isn't taking any chances.

"We're working to put in place some strict procedures in place so that from here on out we can avoid something like this from happening," he said.

He said his employees will take additional classes on proper food handling and preparation.

Health officials say the best way to prevent the spread of norovirus is to wash your hands a lot, and wipe down surfaces with a bleach solution.