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30
Jan
Confusion surrounds council’s Nidd Hall norovirus investigation
North Yorkshire Council has said it is continuing to investigate a suspected outbreak of norovirus at Nidd Hall
However, the hotel at Nidd, near Harrogate, is believed to be unaware of any formal investigation.
The hotel fully closed for 24 hours on December 22 after an outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea.
It reopened the following day for hotel guests but the hotel and leisure club, including the sauna and steam room, remained closed to leisure members and external day visitors in the aftermath.
The venue, which is one of 14 sites operated by Warner Hotels, is now operating normally.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said on January 6 it was “working with the management team at the hotel” on an ongoing investigation.
When we asked the council for an update this week, Mr Battersby replied:
We continue to monitor the situation at Nidd Hall Hotel and remain in close contact with the management team to minimise the risk of further outbreaks. It is still an ongoing investigation, so we cannot comment further.
But the Stray Ferret understands the hotel is unaware of any formal investigation by the council.
The hotel introduced measures, such as deep cleaning rooms in which guests felt unwell, suspending self-service buffets and cancelling shorter stays to minimise risks.
Warner Hotels has not confirmed whether it believes the illnesses were due to an outbreak of norovirus at the hotel or part of a wider increase in the virus this winter.
A Warner Hotels spokesperson said:
The health and wellbeing of guests is our priority. Following some guests reporting symptoms consistent with norovirus in December and January, the hotel undertook enhanced precautionary health and safety measures in line with public health guidance. The hotel has since resumed normal operations and will continue to remain vigilant.
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