EXETER — Another patient was added Tuesday to the growing list of those linked to a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital, bringing the total number to 31 patients allegedly infected by a hospital worker.

The state’s Division of Public Health Services announced the new patient as planning continues to begin testing Friday as many as 3,300 additional patients who may have been exposed to the potentially deadly blood-borne virus through the hospital’s main operating rooms and intensive care unit between April 1, 2011, and May 25, 2012.

The latest patient diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C was also treated in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab — the same place where 30 other patients are believed to have been infected by former medical technician David Kwiatkowski.

The hospital said the latest patient had tested positive during earlier screenings, but that the case was just now connected to the outbreak.

The 33-year-old Kwiatkowski is accused of using syringes filled with the painkiller fentanyl on himself and then putting them back to be used on patients. Federal authorities have labeled him a “serial infector” who allegedly spread his own hepatitis C infection while feeding a drug addiction.

As fear grows among victims and others awaiting testing, a prominent Boston doctor known for his work on hepatitis treatment said he has already heard from nearly 20 victims of the Exeter Hospital outbreak who are interested in participating in a clinical trial involving a combination of new drugs under study for the past couple of years that have shown promising results.

“I think what we want to do is try to undo what has amounted to a chaotic disruption of people’s lives,” said Dr. Raymond Chung, chief of hepatology, vice chief of gastroenterology, and medical director of the liver transplant program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Chung spoke about experimental drugs before a crowd of about 100 people who attended a Tuesday night forum at the Exeter Inn..

He said he expects an approval to come within the next few weeks, which would clear the way for the trial to begin in September.

The following are the dates and locations of the DPHS clinics for which patients can schedule an appointment: Cooperative Middle School, 100 Academic Way, Stratham, on Aug. 10 and 11; Timberlane Regional High School, 36 Greenough Road, Plaistow, on Aug. 14 and 15; Manchester Health Department, 1528 Elm St., Manchester, on Aug. 16, 17, and 18; and Rochester Middle School, 47 Brock St., Rochester, on Aug. 16.

Patients can also call 271-6617 to schedule their appointment.

Other testing options are also available. These include the following locations: · Exeter Hospital, Aug. 13-15, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You must schedule an appointment directly with Exeter Hospital by calling 580-6124 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

-- Portsmouth Regional Hospital — Hampton, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.;

-- Portsmouth Regional Hospital — Pease Tradeport, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For the Hampton and Pease sites, no appointment is necessary.

Patients also have the option of going to their own health care provider to have their blood drawn. The health care provider must coordinate with the public health lab for the testing by calling 271-4661.

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Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.