Tests confirm novovirus at luxury hotel

TESTS have confirmed that a bug which left more than 80 people at a luxury hotel unwell is the norovirus.

A total of 63 guests and 20 members of staff at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow city centre experienced symptoms of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug since last Wednesday.

Two new cases have shown symptoms in the past 24 hours, but the sufferers are recovering at home, and there is no-one symptomatic in the hotel.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) launched an investigation after guests at the five-star hotel complained of diarrhoea and vomiting.

An outbreak control team has been monitoring the situation and the hotel, in William Street, is now operating as normal.

Dr Anne Scoular, NHSGGC public health consultant and chairwoman of the outbreak control team, said: "Laboratory tests have now confirmed that this is a norovirus outbreak.

"We will continue to monitor the situation very closely, but are seeing the number of cases decrease rapidly.

"Our advice to guests and staff in the hotel is to continue to follow strict hygiene rules, including regular hand-washing."

The outbreak control team will meet again today.