The contamination of the saline was not restricted to a single ward, the hospital said
Police will also attempt to interview every medical professional and patient over the weekend.
Eleven other patients were found to have been affected in the incident but not seriously harmed.
Police were called in on Tuesday after an experienced nurse reported a higher than normal number of patients with low blood sugar levels.
An initial inquiry concluded saline ampoules had been "interfered with" - with the contamination thought to have involved the use of insulin.
It has been revealed that of the three patients, the woman, aged 44, and a 71-year-old man were terminally ill. The nature of the 84-year-old man's illness has not been disclosed.
'Protect our patients' Chris Burke, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust's chief executive, said: "We have increased security both in terms of access to the hospital and access to medicines and already replaced all saline ampoules across the hospital.
"We are doing all we can to protect our patients and ensure their safety while under our care."
Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We have someone deliberately contaminating saline in the one place that people should feel they are being most cared for.
"I want to reassure everyone connected to the hospital - staff, patients, visitors and the wider community - that we are determined to prevent further harm and to bring the offender to justice."
Mr Sweeney said police were still waiting to find out if the contamination of the saline "contributed to the deaths of these three people".
He added: "We are working very closely with the hospital to improve the security of the patients and staff at the hospital."
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