SGH hep C cluster update: 600 patients screened, no new positives

SINGAPORE - No new cases of hepatitis C were found on Thursday, the Singapore General Hospital said, leaving the total number of patients infected at 23.

In a statement on Thursday night, SGH said that, as at 6pm, it had screened 600 patients, 539 of whom tested negative. Sixty test results are pending, and the one case that tested positive was announced on Wednesday (Oct 21).

A total of 304 staff members have been screened, the hospital said. All but one tested negative, with the last result pending.

The patient that tested positive for the virus is currently well and has been informed. An appointment with a hepatologist to advise the patient and family on treatment options will be arranged.

SGH announced on Oct 6 that 22 kidney patients had contracted hepatitis C infections while receiving treatment in the hospital. Eight have died, with five of those deaths possibly linked to the infection.

Patients who stayed at the hospital's wards 64A and 67 from January to June this year were contacted for screening.

This article was first published on Oct 22, 2015.
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