New York City Ebola patient used Uber and the subway before he was admitted to hospital
New York City doctor Craig Spencer, who has tested positive for Ebola after returning from Guinea, took a ride in an Uber cab and used the subway on Thursday before developing symptoms of the disease.
Uber issued a statement on its blog:
We reviewed our records and were able to confirm that one of our driver partners in New York provided a ride to the patient yesterday evening. We immediately contacted the CDC and NYC Department of Health and Mental Health Hygiene which stated that neither our driver partner nor any of his subsequent passengers are at risk.
We have communicated this to the driver, and the NYC DOHMH medical team met with the drive run person, assuring him that he is not a risk. Our thoughts are with the patient and his loved ones.
After feeling the effects of a fever and gastrointestinal problems, Spencer took action to self-quarantine himself.
Spencer, who was working in West Africa with Doctors Without Borders, is currently in isolation at NYC's Bellevue hospital. Spencer was transported to the hospital in a special ambulance.
Spencer is an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and fellow in international emergency medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. However, New Yorkers have little reason to fear the spread of the deadly virus which has had close to zero impact in the US.
NYC Mayor de Blasio said: "There is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed.. This is a very difficult disease to contract."