Restaurant Reopens After Montco Hepatitis A Outbreak

Norristown PA

20 January, 2022

5:43 PM

Description

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The outbreak of a hepatitis A in Montgomery County no longer presents a risk to the public, officials said on Thursday, confirming their previous suspicions that the cases originated in ate November and that the situation was no longer active. Gino's Ristorante and Pizzeria in West Norriton, which was identified as the source of the outbreak earlier this month and shut down by officials, is now allowed to reopen, the county Office of Public Health's Division of Environmental Field Services said. Officials noted that seven of the 13 suspected cases required hospitalization. At least two people died from the virus, and a third death remains under investigation. During a recent inspection, health department officers worked with Gino's employees on cleaning standards, hand washing requirements, proper handling of foods, and other general education. >>Eastern PA Hepatitis A Outbreak: 3rd Death Investigated "Areas inspected to ensure the facility was cleaned and sanitized as instructed included the kitchen, dining room, wait stations and restrooms, all food and non-food contact surfaces," the department said. "Additional inspections will occur at Gino's to observe employee food handling procedures." The restaurant also disposed of all the food that they had on premises before they reopened. The county confirmed a previous statement from Gino's, which noted that all employees have been tested and vaccinated for hepatitis A. The full reopening inspection report for Gino's is publicly available online here. The health department is accepting comments, questions, and concerns from Montgomery County residents, who are invited to fill out this survey.