AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Monitoring is ending for one group of Ohioans who were being watched for potential Ebola symptoms as officials continue to check on the health of certain travelers returning to the state from West Africa.
The Ohio Department of Health said Tuesday marked the end of the 21-day watch period for the last few dozen people being monitored in Ohio because of potential contact with a Texas nurse who was diagnosed with the virus after visiting Akron. At one point, more than 160 people were being monitored and three were quarantined, though officials stressed that Ohio had no Ebola cases and the people being monitored weren’t showing symptoms.
Still, the connection to nurse Amber Vinson had caused public concern throughout northeast Ohio as officials tracked down those who’d been in close proximity during her Oct. 10-13 visit to Akron to prepare for her wedding and her flights to and from Cleveland. The end of health monitoring is a sign of some normalcy returning for those contacts.
In the same vein, the bridal shop that closed and cleaned as a precaution after Vinson’s visit was reopening Tuesday with support from Akron’s mayor. A statement from Mayor Don Plusquellic’s office said he’d be visiting the store to show support for the owners and encourage people to continue shopping there.
Vinson was diagnosed after she treated a Liberian man who died of Ebola. She was released from a hospital last week after tests showed she’s virus-free.
Meanwhile, health officials are monitoring Ohioans returning from West African countries that have Ebola outbreaks. About 30 people were being monitored under those new protocols as of late last week, but none of those was quarantined, Department of Health spokeswoman Melanie Amato said Monday.
The protocols call for a 21-day home quarantine for returning travelers who have been exposed to anyone potentially infected with the virus, and for health monitoring of travelers who weren’t exposed.
The state said the number of people returning to Ohio from West Africa is generally low, averaging about two a day.
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