Hope College postpones reopening campus after viral outbreak

HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM)- Hope College has decided to postpone the reopening of the school to Wednesday morning.

MORE >> About Noroviruses

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In a release sent Sunday, the college, in consultation with the Ottawa County Health Department, extended the closure until at least 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The Ottawa County Health Department issued the Emergency Order to control an epidemic at 1:00pm Friday.  The order includes the cancellation of classes, athletic events and any other event where people may gather on campus.  This order also includes closing all dining facilities until a thorough cleaning and disinfection can be completed.

The Ottawa County Health Department suspects the illness is caused by the norovirus. The symptoms usually last between 24 and 48 hours.

Saturday, Hope College reported it has 180 documented cases of sickness in its students, faculty and staff.  However, Sunday the Hope College said ongoing reports to the school and health department over the weekend have raised the number of suspected cases to an estimated 400 students, faculty and staff.

Many of the reports are coming from students who chose to leave campus when the order was issued on Friday.  Students who have become infected while away are being told not to return until they receive permission from college officials.

All college buildings remain closed except to essential employees and those students who are still on campus.

All college events through at least Tuesday have been canceled including athletic team practices.

So far, the school has been able to reopen the dining hall so students can pick up meals.

However, many students have been going to restaurants in downtown Holland. Erica Shults, the manager of Sweetreats ice cream shop, says her business has stepped up cleaning practices.

We've always made and effort and tried our best to make sure we've had the cleanest environment around, but now we make sure we have timers now for employees to wash their hands so that every 15 minutes no matter what you are doing. We've actually started wearing gloves when handling food products," she said.

Lisa Stefanovsky, with the Ottawa County Health Department, says Monday they will send county-wide reminders to food establishment asking them to be vigilant about cleaning.

Stefanovsky says people are still contagious for about 48 hours after they stop showing symptoms and the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is thoroughly washing hands with soap and water. Liquid hand sanitizers do not always kill the virus.

Health officials ask you to stay home if you have any symptoms so they can keep the virus contained.

If you have already been sick with the virus, you are advised to thoroughly clean your surroundings with a bleach-based cleaner.