Reverse 911

The City of Dallas activated its GeoCast (Reverse 911) warning system after a second health care worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital tested positive for Ebola. The worker was among those who took care of Thomas Eric Duncan after he was diagnosed with the disease.

Reverse 911 calls were made to residents in a four-block area around the worker’s apartment. City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management staff handed out informational fliers and Dallas Police, Dallas Fire-Rescue and Public information Office staff knocked on doors to explain the situation to residents. A City staff member will also work with apartment complex management to help communicate with residents and address their questions and concerns.

A 7:30 a.m. press conference was held at the Dallas County Courthouse with Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Texas Health Resources Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Daniel Varga. The preliminary Ebola test was done Tuesday at the state’s public health laboratory in Austin, and results were received around midnight.

Health officials have interviewed the latest patient to quickly identify any contacts or potential exposures, and those people will be monitored. Officials say the type of monitoring will depends on the nature of their interactions and the potential they were exposed to the virus.

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