Ohio Panel Approves Funding For Ebola Protection

A legislative panel in Ohio has approved a funding request to help pay for more protective gear for health care workers if the state has a suspected or confirmed case of Ebola. The Ohio Department of Health requested approval from the state Controlling Board to spend $300,000 for more equipment. It also asked to spend up to $500,000 to dispose of contaminated linens and other items if a case occurs. The board passed both requests Monday. The department says its existing equipment includes more than 105,000 gloves, 100,000 face masks, 29,000 respirators and 7,000 gowns. Hospitals have their own supplies, too. Ebola became a concern in Ohio because a nurse visited Akron and Cleveland shortly before she was diagnosed with the virus in Texas.