PYEONGCHANG, South Korea – The
organizing committee for the Pyeongchang Olympics has called in 900
military personnel after more than 1,200 security workers were pulled
off duty because of concerns about the spread of the
Norovirus, Christophe Dubi, IOC executive director of the Olympic Games
said Tuesday.
Later Tuesday evening,
the organizing committee said 32 cases of Norovirus had been confirmed
and those people were quarantined after being treated. Those 32 cases
involve 21 private security staff members from the Horeb Youth Center
and 11 people from other locations, including three foreigners.
In
a statement, POCOG said that starting Sunday workers reported
headaches, stomach pain and diarrhea. The Gangwon Province Health and
Environment Research Center found 41 workers with symptoms that might
be related to the virus. The others have been pulled from duty to
prevent possible spreading of the illness.
The
workers are largely responsible for checking credentials and screening
baggage entering the venues. The military personnel were brought in from
about 40 minutes away.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Norovirus
is considered highly contagious and typically includes symptoms of
diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea.
The organizing committee said ground water used in
food and beverages at the Horeb Youth Centre -- a housing facility --
was suspected. In a statement late Tuesday, the committee said the
Ministry of Food And Drug Safety and Ministry of Environment had checked
the water used for cooking and consumption over five days and found it
tested negative for Norovirus.
On Monday, the
Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention began a survey of
everyone staying there. Those workers displaying symptoms will be sent
to the hospital and those that do not will remain at the center until
there are no further cases.
The affected workers have been isolated and asked to stay in their accommodations.
In their absence, 900 military personnel will work across 20 venues until the affected workers can return.
The
organizing committee is working with the Korean CDC to stop the spread
of the virus, including disinfecting facilities and equipment.
Organizers shared tips to help prevent the virus,
which include washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds, eating
food that is thoroughly cooked and boiling water before drinking.
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