At least 71 diners became ill from what state health officials are calling a possible salmonella outbreak at a Camden restaurant late last week, and officials are investigating whether the death of a Camden man is related. 16 people had been hospitalized at four hospitals.

Missy Reese, spokeswoman for DHEC’s Wateree Health District, said Monday that her office had identified the possible cases from roughly 108 interviews of people who ate at the buffet-style Old South Restaurant on DeKalb Street.

Kershaw County Coroner Johnny Fellers said his office is investigating the death either late Saturday or early Sunday of Camden resident James Arledge, 58, who exhibited similar symptoms but otherwise appeared healthy.

Reese said it could take up to two weeks for DHEC’s investigation to identify the food source at Old South. The popular country buffet restaurant received an "A" rating during a DHEC inspection Monday, Reese said, the highest a restaurant can get and which it must maintain to stay open. Old South held the same rating before Thursday.