New 'Probable' Hepatitis C Cases Seen In Good Samaritan Outbreak

PUYALLUP, WA - Pierce County health officials have tested over 1,000 people in connection to the hepatitis C outbreak linked to Good Samaritan Hospital, discovering seven "probable" new cases. An additional 12 cases are under investigation but have not been confirmed as hepatitis C.

There are about 2,700 people at risk, according to the health department. Another 1,000 people possibly exposed to the virus have tested negative.

The county is keep the public updated on the outbreak through its blog:

So far from the hospital investigation, 1,065 people have been tested. We created a webpage where we will have weekly updates on test results from this outbreak. Here’s what the testing for hepatitis C shows so far:
Two confirmed cases: Positive for hepatitis C and confirmed with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory testing. Seven probable cases: Positive for hepatitis C and under investigation awaiting CDC testing. Twelve cases under investigation: Positive cases still under investigation. The majority of the people tested from this outbreak were negative for hepatitis C—1,028.

Former Good Samaritan nurse Cora Weberg has been accused of starting the outbreak, but Weberg has denied even having the virus. She was fired from her job and has lost her nursing license. Puyallup police arrested her last Friday on assault charges, but she was released after the prosecutor's office declined to press charges.

According to state officials, two patients Weberg administered pain medications to later tested positive for Hepatitis C. Weberg has said she took used pain medications from the hospital and planned to use them to commit suicide. She has denied using dirty needles on patients.

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