Since the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. happened at the end of September, the government took action and has made progress on its response plan, according to a White House fact sheet released Tuesday.
Ron Klain, the White House Ebola response coordinator or "Ebola czar," reported the nation is "far more prepared to cope with Ebola domestically…than we were just two months ago," according to the fact sheet.
Specifically, the U.S. domestic Ebola response plan has made the following five points of progress in the last two months:
1. Expanding the number of hospitals ready to treat Ebola patients — there are now 53 beds at 35 hospitals available to care for patients with Ebola, up from just eight beds at three facilities.
2. There are now 42 labs in 36 states that can test for Ebola, compared to just 13 labs in 13 states two months ago.
3. Travelers from four West African nations most affected by Ebola are now required to arrive in one of five specific U.S. airports, where they undergo enhanced screening for Ebola virus disease symptoms.
4. National active monitoring guidance now exists for public health officials to keep in contact with passengers coming from a country with Ebola.
5. Phase 1 clinical trials of the first Ebola vaccine are now complete.