“I can confirm there have been two further deaths that we are linking to the investigation into deliberate contamination of medical products at Stepping Hill Hospital,” Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told reporters.
He said detectives were studying the deaths of an 83-year-old man who died on Thursday morning at the Stockport hospital and an 84-year-old woman who died on July 14.
Police have arrested a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of the murder of three patients and she remains in custody.
The three were among a total of 14 patients given the contaminated solution. They have been named as Tracey Arden, 44, George Keep, 84 and Arnold Lancaster, 71.
“In relation to the death of the (84-year-old) woman, this was referred to us by the coroner and after a review of the circumstances surrounding this death — notably the low blood sugar level — we have decided to investigate further,” Hopkins said.
“In relation to the man’s death, due to the fact he suffered a hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar) episode during a timeframe we are looking at, it is only right we conduct further inquiries.”
He stressed that the actual cause of death of all five patients was still unknown, and was awaiting further tests.
He said there had been no further deliberate damage or contamination of medication at the hospital since police were called on July 12.
