President Obama spoke by phone late Thursday night with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo about the city’s first Ebola case, offering federal assistance.
The White House said Mr. Obama “offered the governor and mayor any additional federal support necessary to provide the highest standard of patient care” and to protect health care workers and track down others at risk of exposure.
Officials confirmed Thursday night that Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, an emergency room doctor who returned to the U.S. from Guineau on Oct. 17, has contracted the disease. He is being treated at a special unit at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York.
Mr. Obama discussed with the governor and mayor the deployment of officials from the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the city, and Mr. Obama asked the New York authorities to remain in close contact with his White House team, including new Ebola czar Ron Klain.
“The president expressed that his thoughts and prayers are with the patient,” the White House said.
Dr. Spencer, who was working for Doctors Without Borders to fight the epidemic in West Africa, is the fourth person to test positive for the viral disease while in the U.S.
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• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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