SGH hepatitis C outbreak: 290 patients and 263 staff tested negative

Visitors at the entrance of Block 4 at Singapore General Hospital. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - The Singapore General Hospital (SGH) said in its latest update on Tuesday (Oct 13) evening that 290 patients and 263 staff tested negative for the hepatitis C infection.

A total of 402 out of 678 patients were screened, with 112 results pending. Patients who tested negative have been informed of their results.

As for staff, 270 out of 319 have undergone screening for the virus.

SGH said that their doctors and medical social workers are continuing to meet affected patients and families to provide support.

Additional social support will also be provided by the Ministries of Health and Social and Family Development if required.

The hospital revealed last week that 22 patients staying in its renal wards had contracted hepatitis C infections while receiving treatment. Eight patients have died from the virus.

Questions were raised as to why SGH, which first suspected that the cases were related as early as mid-May, took so long to inform the public about the situation.

The Health Ministry has since launched a separate investigation to examine the timeline of events provided by SGH.

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