Dallas Ebola Patient Praying over Phone with Family—Meanwhile, Hawaii Doctors Say Patient No Longer being Tested for Ebola

Mark Martin : Oct 2, 2014
CBN News

“We commend the [Honolulu] facility for being prepared and remaining vigilant regarding the risk of Ebola. After investigation by the health department, it was determined that the individual did not meet the clinical or travel exposure criteria for an Ebola infection.” -Health Director Dr. Linda Rosen

[CBN News:] Thomas Eric Duncan, the Ebola patient hospitalized in Dallas, is in serious condition but he's alert and praying with his family over the phone. (Photo via CBN News)

Meanwhile, the effort to keep the deadly virus from spreading is in high gear, with custodians dressed in white hazmat suits scrubbing and disinfecting schools in Dallas.

The move comes after news five children could have been exposed to Ebola after they had contact with Duncan, an African who traveled from Liberia to Dallas.

"We have additional nurses on staff so that if the kids feel like they have a question about their health, or the parents do, they can come in and get their questions answered," Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles said Wednesday.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators are on the ground in Dallas, hoping to keep the virus from spreading.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is in battle mode, warning "this is all hands on deck."

"We understand that and we've got great local partners," Perry said. "Everyone has their marching orders and understands the importance of that good collaboration." (Photo via CBN News)

"[Ebola] is substantially more difficult to contract than the common cold," he noted. "We have healthcare professionals and institutions second to none...They will succeed in this very important mission."

Dallas-area hospitals, schools, and entire neighborhoods are on high alert. Investigators want to be sure Duncan did not infect others.

Hawaii Ebola Scare

When a patient in Hawaii exhibited some similar symptoms to those with ebola, that patient was isolated. However, Hawaii State Health officials say the individual "does not meet the criteria for testing, and is no longer under evaluation," according to a Maui News report.