SAN DEIGO -- Physical training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego likely will resume Thursday after being halted because of an outbreak of streptococcus A, officials said.

Maj. Gen. Jan Huly, commander of the base, told reporters Tuesday that the outbreak is under control.

However, wenty-two people remain hospitalized in connection with the outbreak, although tests haven't confirmed that all of them suffer from strep A infections, said Maj. Kim Miller.

Among them, a recruit remains in critical condition with strep A pneumonia, Miller said. A drill instructor also is among those still hospitalized, she said.

As for the 72-hour physical training stand down initiated on Monday, officials will re-evaluate the situation Wednesday to decide whether it should end as scheduled Thursday, said Lt. Mike Friel.

The break in strenuous activities was meant to let recruits rest and avoid becoming sick from the strep A bacteria, which was discovered in 185 Marines tested on Sunday.

Since the outbreak began at the base last week, 126 people have been hospitalized.

Huly said that the cases of upper respiratory ailments requiring hospitalization in recent days weren't "necessarily related to the strep A bacteria."

On Sunday, a recruit died after being hospitalized at the Naval Medical Center San Diego when a rash on his ankle spread to much of his body.

Huly said there were no indications that the death of Pvt. Miguel Zavala, of Greenfield, Calif., was related to a flesh-eating bacteria that can result from strep A in extreme cases.

"His death does appear to be linked to either the strep A or meningococcal bacteria," Huly said Tuesday.

Step is a common bacteria people carry in their throat, though most don't become sick. A sore throat is the most common, but more serious infections also can result, health officials said.