Norovirus Sickens Many In California GOP Delegation At RNC

Several members of the California Republican delegation have fallen ill with what is believed to be a norovirus, officials said Tuesday.

California GOP chairman Jim Brulte has said that his group of delegates will continue to participate in the GOP Convention; now his delegation sits next to the group from Maryland.

The virus spreads via the so-called “fecal-oral” route, and California delegates were warned that if they began to suffer any symptoms, they should stop shaking hands or sharing food.

According to the Centers for Disease Control norovirus infects between 19 million and 21 million people a year.

Schade said the group is showing the classic symptoms of norovirus: fever, nausea and intestinal distress.

The 550-member California delegation is staying at a safari-themed resort in Sandusky, Ohio, about 60 miles outside Cleveland, where the convention is being staged. Because staffers reported feeling “queasy” shortly after arriving in OH last week, it’s likely that they brought the virus with them from California, rather than contracting it in Cleveland.

“We will continue to follow all county health department directives to keep the illness from spreading”.

They have instructed delegates to wash their hands frequently, use sanitizers, and avoid shaking hands (something, as it happens, that Donald Trump has always been loath to do).

The virus – best known for causing problems on cruise ships – is usually spread through food, infected surfaces or direct contact with an infected person. By Monday night, large towers of hand sanitizer had been placed throughout the delegation’s section of the hotel.

The virus was brought to Cleveland among 341 attendees from the California delegation. All 12 will remain quarantined until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours, he said.

Republican delegations from other states have not reported any norovirus infections.

“Right now our delegates, alternates, and guests are at one of three places”, Brulte said.