Dirty Silverware And Mold: Pittsburgh Marriott Faces Violations After 200+ People Get Sick
A Pittsburgh Marriott hotel faces violations after large events left at least 200 people sick, raising a need for inspections.
On April 5, an Allegheny County Health Department report revealed that an inspector found cleaning and sanitization violations such as dirty silverware and mold on speed racks in the vegetable walk-in cooler. It was also reported that the soap dispenser at the dish machine was also out of batteries.
Allegedly, the health department launched an investigation after reports of mass gastrointestinal illnesses following a number of large events held at the hotel in Coraopolis on April 2 and April 3, 2022.
One of the events that occurred was a burial shower. The family told KDKA that roughly 70 people were sick within a mere 36 hours. Some time later that same day, a wedding was held on the premises, and around 80 of the 155 people in attendance reported being sick.
According to KDKA, several people who attended a football banquet the next day had the same experience.
The increase in sickness over a short period of time is what surely prompted concern and swift investigation.
Some two days later, a reinspection report gave satisfactory marks for cleaning and sanitization for the Marriott hotel.
Since the Pittsburgh Marriott hotel faced violations, there have been a few updates. The Marriott told KDKA last week that it did a deep cleaning to cover both the norovirus and coronavirus, in addition to notifying the health department.
This is not the first report of concern for hygiene and health standards within the hospitality industry. Earlier this year, a report shared an increase in bed bug infestations in Chicago. The Orkin report compiled a list of the 50 U.S. cities with the highest density of bed bug infestations, encouraging a closer look at sanitization procedures across the country.
Related: Marriott Faces Backlash For Hefty Resort Fees, D.C. Attorney General Steps In
