With Ebola so much in the news media at this time, a press release from city hall said the mayor of Bristol is taking the opportunity to reassure the citizens of Bristol that their immediate health and wellbeing is being closely monitored and protected.
The release from Mayor Ken Cockayne’s office said the Bristol-Burlington Health District and the Bristol Hospital have been active in preparing for any potential risk or exposure to city residents. The mayor’s statement said the health department and the hospital are in daily contact with the state and federal public health authorities, and have completed preparations for any possible future appearance of Ebola or exposures within the community.
As a precaution, the news release explained, the governor has just signed an order that authorizes the commissioner of health and local health directors to take action to quarantine infected or suspected infected persons in the state.
The Bristol Police Department has also been in contact with the mayor’s office and the Bristol-Burlington Health District and are prepared as first responders in the community to support and provide assistance should the need arise, said the mayor’s office
The federal government has greatly increased control of entry from other countries, especially those identified with cases of Ebola, and is closely questioning travelers who may have originated in those countries, explained the news release from City Hall. The risk of entry of anyone into Connecticut who may have been exposed to Ebola is extremely low, said the release. Therefore, the mayor’s office said, the risk to people in Connecticut and Bristol is also “very, very low. However – we are determined to be prepared for even this small possibility.”
“With the state, federal and our local Health, Medical and Safety organizations having been placed on an alert status, with the plans for response and control in place and with our personnel having refreshed their training, I can assure all Bristol citizens that we are ready for this threat,” said the mayor in his news release.
