3 Bellevue Eateries Close After Norovirus Outbreak

BELLEVUE, WA — Three restaurants at an upscale downtown Bellevue development were closed recently after 31 patrons came down with norovirus symptoms, according King County health officials.

Purple Café and Wine Bar, Lot No. 3, and Cast Iron Studios at Bellevue Towers all closed voluntarily on April 16 after a visit from health officials. The restaurants reopened on April 17.

Health inspectors did not find any food safety violations — all three have "excellent" health ratings — but did find out that several employees may have worked while sick with a norovirus-like illness.

"Investigators reviewed with restaurant management the requirement that ill employees are not allowed to work until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours, and provided education about preventing the spread of norovirus — including proper handwashing and preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. Restaurant management was also given guidance for use of appropriate disinfection agents against norovirus," King County said in a statement.

Norovirus causes a range of unpleasant symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. No one sickened in this outbreak were hospitalized, however.