Caldwell Commuters: New York City Ebola Patient Traveled on the Subway, Taxis

Health officials have confirmed that the New York City doctor who has tested positive for the Ebola virus traveled on the subway and rode a taxi on Wednesday evening.

Given the amount of people who use taxis and subways to travel from commuter towns like Caldwell to the city, officials are working quickly to track down anyone who may have come in contact with Dr. Spencer, and is now at risk of contracting the virus.

Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, is the first confirmed case of Ebola in the state of New York. Spencer was admitted to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan on Thursday with a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms. He was rushed to the hospital by a specially trained HAZ TAC unit wearing personal protective equipment, health officials reported.

The NY Daily News reported that Spencer had quarantined himself in his Harlem apartment on W. 147th Street before being transported to the hospital.

Spencer recently worked with Doctors Without Borders in Guinea, where he treated Ebola patients in the West African nation. The nonprofit organization noted on their website that staff doctors receive regular health monitoring after they return from an Ebola assignment and that Spencer’s case was reported immediately.

Spencer is a fellow of international emergency medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

New Jersey State Departments Respond to Ebola Crisis

As of yet, there have been no confirmed NJ cases. A West African passenger at Newark airport with Ebola-like symptoms tested negative and was released from the hospital this week.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Chris Christie signed an executive order mandating that state departments implement a public health response in the event of an Ebola case or crisis in New Jersey.

The mandate includes rigorous screening processes at Newark Airport, statewide hospital training, preparation for NJ educators, and outreach for New Jersey’s Liberian communities.