EXETER, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says another patient who used the cardiac catheterization lab at the Exeter Hospital and its recovery room has tested positive for hepatitis C.
The latest case brings to 21 the number of people associated with the lab to have tested positive for the blood-borne liver disease.
State health officials suspect a lab employee's misuse of drugs led to the outbreak.
Health Director Dr. Jose Montero says more than 1,000 samples from Exeter patients have been tested.
Meanwhile, almost 100 people attended a meeting at Exeter Town Hall on Tuesday to learn more about the disease itself. Many of those attending were Exeter Hospital patients who have been tested, but are still waiting to hear if they were infected.
