New 'Probable' Hepatitis C Case In Good Sam Outbreak

PUYALLUP, WA - Pierce County health officials have found a new "probable" case of hepatitis C linked to the larger outbreak at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

There are still only eight confirmed cased that are genetically linked, according to health officials. The original two cases are included in that figure. There are now four probable cases, which means health officials still need to do tests to link them to the confirmed cases.

A total of 1,700 people have been tested, and about 1,000 people have not been tested, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Just over 1,600 have tested negative.

County and hospital officials had blamed the outbreak on a nurse accused of using dirty needles on patients. That nurse has tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies, but there is no test available to link her directly to the infections. She was arrested by Puyallup police in May, but the Pierce County prosecutor declined to press charges.

Image via Google Maps