LAKEWOOD, Wash. (AP) — State health officials say 3 patients and a Western State Hospital staff member have confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu.

Department of Social and Health Services spokeswoman Kathy Spears told The Associated Press four people have the virus, not seven as previously reported by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

She says the state's largest psychiatric hospital took swift and appropriate action to limit the number of cases and that the four will remain on a medical ward hold until they've completed medical treatments.

Spears says the hospital notified the health department and nurse managers at the hospital on March 16.

The health department said Western isolated the patients properly and that no staff members have contracted the flu.

More From News Talk KIT