Ebola Patient's Fiancee Gets Hospital Apology for His Death
— -- The hospital that cared for the first man diagnosed with Ebola in the United States called his fiancee today to apologize for not being able to save him.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas today called Louise Troh, the fiancee of Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan, who died on Oct. 8. He is the only person to die of Ebola in the United States.
"This official said the hospital was 'deeply sorry' for the way this tragedy played out," Troh said in a statement. "I am grateful to the hospital for this personal call. I am grateful to God that this leader reached out and took responsibility for the hospital's actions. Hearing this information will help me as I mourn Eric's death."
Duncan arrived in Dallas from Liberia on Sept. 20 and went to the hospital on Sept. 26 with a 103-degree fever. He told a nurse he had recently been in Liberia but was sent home with antibiotics and told to take Tylenol for his pain, which he said was severe. He returned in an ambulance two days later when his symptoms worsened and was later isolated and diagnosed with Ebola.
Some members of Duncan's family said his treatment wasn't "fair."
Troh, however, said today, "It is my position that God is the judge of others and their actions, and vengeance is not mine to demand. God is the judge, and God will take care of me."
Two nurses who cared for Duncan contracted Ebola and were diagnosed with the virus this week. Nina Pham, 26, will be moved to the National Institutes for Health's facility for continued care tonight, and Amber Vinson, 29, arrived at Emory University Hospital Wednesday night.
