suspected cases of viral meningitis will have turned positive.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann said they were monitoring the situation while results from spinal taps were returned from overseas. He said the strain of meningitis identified was viral -- considered safe -- as opposed to the more dangerous bacterial.

During routine testing in June, 26 possible cases were identified after spinal taps at the hospital -- normally eight or nine suspected cases might be found in any month. Dr. Edward Shultz, head of the emergency department, said at least two cases were confirmed over the weekend.