The New York Times and CBS have both confirmed that Dr. Craig Spencer has tested positive for Ebola:
“Today, EMS HAZ TAC Units transferred to Bellevue Hospital a patient who presented a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms,” New York City officials said in a statement. “The patient is a health care worker who returned to the U.S. within the past 21 days from one of the three countries currently facing the outbreak of this virus.”Spencer, who is a physician in his 30s and works with Doctors Without Borders, came back a week ago from Guinea, where he is believed to have been treating Ebola patients.“A person in New York City, who recently worked with Doctors Without Borders in one of the Ebola-affected countries in West Africa, notified our office this morning to report having developed a fever,” Doctors Without Borders said in a statement. “As per the specific guidelines that Doctors Without Borders provides its staff on their return from Ebola assignments, the individual engaged in regular health monitoring and reported this development immediately. While at this stage there is no confirmation that the individual has contracted Ebola, Doctors Without Borders, in the interest of public safety and in accordance with its protocols, immediately notified the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, which is directly managing the individual’s care.”
Mayor de Blasio and Gov. Cuomo are scheduled to hold a news conference from Bellevue Hospital at approximately 9 p.m. (Embedded below the fold.)
UPDATE:
“We can’t say that this is an unexpected circumstance…we are as ready as one could be for this circumstance,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a press conference late Thursday night.
New York political and health officials emphasized what we’ve heard before: that Ebola is difficult to contract, and that there is no need for panic. They divulged more information about Dr. Spencer, who apparently was not symptomatic until this morning at around 10 am, at which time he called the proper authorities and was transported to Bellevue Hospital.
Residents have been spotted clearing out of Spencer’s apartment building:
The media appears to have left any semblance of denial at home:
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY