Police arrest nurse accused of infecting patients with hepatitis C
- 6 years ago
TACOMA, WASHINGTON — Police arrested a a hospital nurse last week who may have infected at least two patients at the Puyallup[b], Washington hospital with hepatitis C.
According to the News Tribune, Cora Weberg, 31, stole injectable drugs from Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital, where she previously worked and intentionally infected at least two patients with hepatitis C.
Police said Weberg, who has hepatitis C, purposely contaminated injectable drugs or another substance with her own blood.
The hospital said hepatitis C is typically transmitted through the sharing of needles.
The hospital added that two patients who were treated by Weberg were possibly infected last week, and advised the 2,600 patients who were treated in the hospital's ER during an between August 2017 and March 23 to get tested for the infection.
However, hospital workers have previously said Weberg was surprised to find out she had the virus after taking a test in March.
Weberg was then arrested at the Canadian border as she was on a planned vacation to Guam with her boyfriend.
In a response to the arrest, Weberg's attorney argued that there's no connection between the outbreak and the nurse.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has found a connection between the two infected patients and the hospital, however, the department were unable to find a link between Weberg and the patients.
According to the News Tribune, Weberg reportedly said her exposure to hepatitis C was not strong enough for her to be able to infect other people, she also denied that infecting patients, also she did not use needles on patients that she had used on herself.
According to the News Tribune, Cora Weberg, 31, stole injectable drugs from Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital, where she previously worked and intentionally infected at least two patients with hepatitis C.
Police said Weberg, who has hepatitis C, purposely contaminated injectable drugs or another substance with her own blood.
The hospital said hepatitis C is typically transmitted through the sharing of needles.
The hospital added that two patients who were treated by Weberg were possibly infected last week, and advised the 2,600 patients who were treated in the hospital's ER during an between August 2017 and March 23 to get tested for the infection.
However, hospital workers have previously said Weberg was surprised to find out she had the virus after taking a test in March.
Weberg was then arrested at the Canadian border as she was on a planned vacation to Guam with her boyfriend.
In a response to the arrest, Weberg's attorney argued that there's no connection between the outbreak and the nurse.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has found a connection between the two infected patients and the hospital, however, the department were unable to find a link between Weberg and the patients.
According to the News Tribune, Weberg reportedly said her exposure to hepatitis C was not strong enough for her to be able to infect other people, she also denied that infecting patients, also she did not use needles on patients that she had used on herself.