Authorities in Dallas have announced that the family of Thomas Duncan has been isolated. Duncan is an Ebola patient being treated at the Texas Presbyterian Hospital. The Dallas health department said that at least 50 people are under observation for being in contact with Duncan.
In a press conference conducted late this week, a Texas judge told reporters that Duncan's family has been moved to an "appropriate location". Judge Clay Jenkins also said the he met the family in person. The meeting took 45 minutes and said that there is no danger that they can transmit the disease as long as proper care is taken. Jenkins even declared in front of the reporters, "I'm wearing the same shirt as I was with that family."
In the press conference, authorities have also said that the belongings of the Ebola patient has been collected and have been cleaned with bleaching materials. In order to get rid of Duncan's personal items, a health clearance would be needed.
The costs of combating the spread of Ebola in the state of Texas have reached around $65,000 USD. Meanwhile, the first Ebola patient of Texas is said to be still in critical, but steady condition. The medical cost so far in treating Duncan has not been revealed. Authorities will also not say on who will pay Duncan's medical bills.
Also present in the press meeting is Mayor Mike Rawlings of Dallas. He encouraged his constituents and said, "I want everybody to get out and have a good time."
Ebola patient Thomas Duncan was suspected of contracting the disease while he was in Liberia. Authorities there said that Duncan faces prosecution if he returns to the country. They claimed that Duncan falsely put in the airport information sheet that he did not have Ebola. Liberian airport authority at that time, did not subject Duncan or any of the departing passengers to any medical checkup that could have detected the disease before they were allowed to leave the country.
