New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that it’s too early to tell whether a doctor who recently traveled to West Africa and felt Ebola-like symptoms had contracted the viral disease.
“Regardless of whether he tests positive for Ebola, we’re hopeful for a good outcome for this individual,” the Democrat told reporters.
The patient was identified as Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, who returned from West Africa about 10 days ago. His girlfriend was placed in isolation.
The mayor praised a “seamless operation” among first responders who brought Dr. Spencer to Bellevue Hospital Center.
He said test results should be available within hours, perhaps later Thursday evening, and that no one should draw conclusions in the meantime.
Mr. de Blasio noted that modern medicine has been able to cure patients with Ebola, particularly when the disease is caught early, and that the doctor has been communicating with other health care workers.
CNN reported that the patient traveled in an Uber car to go bowling in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, raising fears of contamination.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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