Sacramento patient tests negative for Ebola after West Africa visit

A patient at the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center who was potentially exposed to the Ebola virus has tested negative, hospital officials confirmed Thursday night.

The unidentified patient was being cared for in a specially equipped negative pressure room while tests were ongoing, officials said.

It is unclear when the patient arrived at the facility or when the possible exposure to the virus occurred, but it did happen in West Africa, officials said.

No specific information about the patient, including the name or gender, has been released.

Kaiser was working with the Sacramento County Division of Public Health concerning the patient.

All precautionary steps were taken for the safety of staff and other patients, the hospital said.

“We are pleased with the negative outcome of the Ebola test and wish the patient a speedy recovery,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, the county health director and state health officer, in a statement.

“The case in Sacramento County demonstrates that the system is working,” he said. “This patient was quickly identified, appropriate infection control procedures were implemented, and public health authorities were notified.”

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