Patch Reader Says Son Was Sickened, Missed Out on Grad Night Party

As our story posted about the closing of California Pizza Kitchen because of a norovirus outbreak, we received an email from a Patch reader.

Andrea Head wrote:

"My son, Spencer Head, was one of the Las Lomas graduating seniors who had to leave his grad night party early as he became extremely ill, along with several of his classmates, after having lunch at CPK on Thursday, June 7th. He was sick for 2 full days, and did not recover for three or four days. Fortunately, it didn't hit him before the graduation ceremony, as he was one of only two student speakers at the ceremony."

At 5 p.m. Thursday, county environmental health officials  — with lab results confirming norovirus among customers and workers at California Pizza Kitchen at the South Main Street entrance to Broadway Plaza — suspended the permit of the restaurant. "The serving and selling of food or drink during this period of suspension is unlawful," reads the notice posted on the front door.

Norovirus is a contagious virus that you can get from an infected person, contaminated food or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Contra Costa County on Friday posted background on norovirus.

Each year, norovirus causes about 21 million gastrointestinal illnesses, and contributes to about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths, according to the website of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.