Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse has been chosen as one of eight hospitals across New York State to be an Ebola treatment center.
It’s part of Governor Cuomo’s Ebola preparedness plan which he announced Thursday. Cuomo says he and the people of New York should not be surprised if a case of the virus occurred within the state.
"We are prepared to deal with it. Our healthcare system is one of the best on the planet. We've been drilling for it and preparing for weeks. No New Yorker should be concerned if an Ebola case came to New York."
Cuomo’s plan outlines protocols that hospitals, health departments and transportation centers should follow when identifying patients with Ebola.
Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker says the department of health is preparing workers in case a suspected Ebola patient is brought into the system, including through urgent care centers.
The plan is to eventually get all of the states 200 hospitals ready to idenfity Ebola. The state is also working with the state education department as well as universities and colleges. The plan will be put to action immediately throughout New York. More information about Ebola and the state’s preparedness plan is at health.ny.gov.