The Yale student's potential Ebola case demonstrates why "preemptive action" matters, Malloy said.
On Thursday, Governor Dannel Malloy directed all hospitals in Connecticut to perform a drill in the next week to be sure they are prepared to handle potential Ebola virus cases.
The announcement came while a patient at Yale-New Haven Hospital remained in isolation, awaiting Ebola test results, which could come as soon as Thursday afternoon.
A positive test result would mean the test is performed a second time.
"These same symptoms mimic a number of other diseases," Malloy said. "That’s the reality. But let’s concentrate: this is not an airborne illness. Simply because you are in a confined area with the person doesn’t mean you have been exposed to it. The most important questions: have you come into contact with someone with Ebola? Is there any reason you may have [it]? Have you traveled to West Africa recently, or in the last 21 days?"
The Yale student's potential Ebola case demonstrates why "preemptive action" matters, Malloy said. "I believe we must go above and beyond what the CDC is recommending, just as we did last week when I issued a preemptive declaration. I want everyone to know – from the nurses in our emergency rooms to our first responders and our law enforcement personnel – we will provide whatever resources we have at our disposal so that you can do your critically important jobs safely and effectively."
Malloy convened a meeting on Wednesday with multiple agency heads to discuss coordination, at which he was briefed by Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen.
On Thursday in a statement, Mullen said, "Critical to preventing an Ebola outbreak in the United States is that all hospitals are able to recognize when a patient may be at risk for Ebola and take the appropriate steps." She said hospitals in the state already have a "heightened level of awareness for detecting a patient with Ebola."
Yale-New Haven Hospital announced on Thursday morning that it admitted a patient late Wednesday night for evaluation of Ebola-like symptoms. The patient's condition is stable, hospital officials said, and test results are expected within 24 hours.
