Another Exeter Hospital patient tests positive for hep C - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Concord, N.H. (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – Another patient who underwent treatment at Exeter Hospital has tested positive for hepatitis C, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday.

The patient was treated at the hospital's cardiac catheterization lab between October 1, 2010 and May 25, 2012. 

The procedure date for this patient occurred prior to the date Exeter Hospital reported as the first day of employment for radiology technician David Kwiatkowski, a former employee suspected of drug diversion in this case. However, the suspect did begin working at Exeter Hospital prior to the patient's discharge from the hospital.

"As we have stated previously, this is a complex investigation with many moving pieces," said NH State Epidemiologist Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis. "This is yet another new development and as we have done thus far, we will continue to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this infection."

The total number of people connected with the outbreak, including this latest case, brings the number to 33.  This number includes Kwiatkowski.

The DPHS has tested a total of 1,066 patients. 

Patients who were treated in the Hospital's Main Operating Rooms (excluding the outpatient surgery center) or the Intensive Care Unit between April 1, 2011 and May 25, 2012 are currently undergoing testing for possible exposure to hepatitis C.

Public Health Clinics are being held for patients who fit the above criteria  on Wednesday at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, Thursday at the Rochester Middle School in Rochester, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Manchester Health Department.

For  questions  and  information  about  hepatitis  C visit the Centers for Disease  Control  and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis, the DHHS website  at  www.dhhs.nh.gov, or call the DPHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496.