INVESTIGATIONS are still ongoing into a suspected outbreak of Norovirus at the Passage House Hotel in Kingsteignton.

Bosses closed the facility last week while the complex was deep cleaned after guests were struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting – symptoms linked to the virus.

The hotel closed its doors late last week following the illness outbreaks and remained closed as a precaution until March 30.

Environmental chiefs revealed yesterday that investigations are continuing into the sudden outbreak.

Best Western, which owns the hotel, said the spate of illness is ‘unlikely to be related to the hotel’s own hygiene procedures or food preparation’ and insisted the welfare of guests is the top priority.

The 90-room establishment, on the banks of the River Teign, underwent a deep clean to prevent anyone else falling ill.

Public Health England is working with the hotel along with Teignbridge Council and Devon County Council to work out what happened.

Dr Bayad Nozad, of Public Health England South West, revealed: ‘We are currently working to ascertain the cause of illness at the hotel but Norovirus seems likely at this point in time.’