Hospital tests 200 patients in HIV, hepatitis exposure case



LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Officials at a Longview hospital say testing on nearly 200 patients believed to have been exposed to hepatitis or HIV at the facility has revealed that no one has contracted the diseases.

The Daily News reports that PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center spokesman Tim Strickland said Monday the hospital will continue to offer free testing to any patient potentially involved in the exposure.

The hospital had issued notices earlier this month to 260 former patients warning them that they may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis. Those affected had been fitted for a dental appliance for sleep apnea between November 2013 and Feb. 26, 2016.

Strickland says the hospital will announce its findings from the testing next month.

The hospital says the likelihood of infection is extremely low.