Louisiana Health Officials Examining Multi-Case, Flu-Like Illness at L’Auberge Casino

Posted on: February 5, 2020, 08:21h. 

Last updated on: February 5, 2020, 11:08h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is looking into reports of stomach illness from dozens of attendees of a Mardi Gras ball last weekend at the L’Auberge Casino in Lake Charles.

A health scare at the L’Auberge Casino in Lake Charles, La. didn’t turn up signs of the coronavirus. (Image: Booking.com)

Those reports out of the riverboat venue come as gaming companies are grappling with cases of the new coronavirus in various locations around the world. However, the LDH has yet to compare the health scare at the L’Auberge to the 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease.

The Louisiana Department of Health is aware of reported illnesses among visitors to L’Auberge Casino in Lake Charles, and are in the process of conducting an investigation,” said the department in a statement. “In the event that there is a further threat to the public, we will proceed in a manner to protect the public’s health.”

L’Auberge is one of 15 riverboat casinos in the Pelican State. Its real estate assets are owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties, while Penn National Gaming runs the casino, hotel, and other amenities.

A representative from Penn told Casino.org that there’s “zero indication” that the situation in Louisiana is in any way related to coronavirus.

Monitoring The Situation

L’auberge General Manager Michael Pendergast said staff at the gaming property are employing “stringent sanitation procedures,” and that the situation is being closely monitored.

“L’Auberge du Lac is aware of reported incidents of a stomach-related illness among a few guests and team members,” said Pendergast in a statement. “The comfort and safety of our guests and team members is always our paramount concern, and we are cooperating fully with state health officials who are looking into the reports.”

News of the stomach bug scare in Louisiana comes as the number of global coronavirus cases – and fatalities – is soaring. The latest reports suggest more than 24,500 in 25 countries have been infected by the respiratory illness, and that there have been 492 deaths.

Last week, a visitor to Las Vegas was quarantined after displaying symptoms similar to those of coronavirus patients. But tests on the traveler came back negative.

An Ounce of Prevention…

Around the world, gaming companies are taking steps to avoid illness at their properties following the coronavirus outbreak.

For example, the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore last week began issuing letters to guests encouraging them to practice the basics of good hygiene and to closely monitor their personal health.

While there are no signs the coronavirus has made its way to the L’Auberge in Lake Charles, Penn isn’t taking any chances, as Pendergast and his team are reminding guests and staffers to remain vigilant about washing their hands and taking “other health safety precautions.”