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NM Hospital Screening Patients In Parking Lot For Ebola

myrgh.org

New Mexico's top health officials say the risk of an Ebola case in the state is low, but administrators at Roosevelt General Hospital aren't taking any chances.

Starting Friday, the rural eastern New Mexico hospital will begin pre-screening patients and visitors for Ebola at a parking lot checkpoint. Each incoming vehicle must stop so visitors and patients can answer a series of questions regarding recent travel and symptoms.

Hospital CEO Larry Leaming says he's taking the proactive measure to keep his staff and patients safe.

In the event of a positive screening, Leaming says the suspected patient would be transferred to a quarantined section of the hospital.

A spokeswoman with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says she's not aware of any other hospitals that have set up parking lot checkpoints.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.