Dallas officials and Gov. Perry trying to calm community fears regarding Ebola patient

The City of Dallas continued to staff the Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday and provided updated information to news media and the public about the first diagnosed Ebola case in the nation.  

Gov. Rick Perry joined representatives from Dallas County Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, Dallas Independent School District and the City of Dallas in a joint press conference to discuss the latest developments. Held at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, attendees included Mayor Mike Rawlings, CDC Representative David Daigle, Callas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zachary Thompson, DISD Superintendent Mike Miles, City of Dallas Medical Director Paul Pepe and Assistant Fire Chief Norm Seals. 

City officials and District 13 Councilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates met with the Ivy Apartments Manager and provided up to date information on the situation. The information was used to help allay fears of residents in the surrounding areas.

Dallas Independent School District distributed fliers to students and used their phone tree system to notify parents. Copies of the flier were provided to apartment managers who planned to distribute them to residents at 95 apartment complexes in the area.

The Dallas Fire Rescue EMS crew that transported the patient Sunday morning took all safety precautions. Late Tuesday night, all three did undergo medical evaluations and all checked out with no signs of having Ebola. They were sent home and will be closely monitored for the next 21 days. 

The City continued to work closely with Dallas County Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control after the patient at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas was confirmed to have the virus.