Coast Guard picks up blood sample from health care worker being monitored on cruise for Ebola
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The cruise ship Carnival Magic passes near Cozumel , Mexico, Friday, Oct. 17, 2014. The cruise ship with a Dallas health care worker aboard who is being monitored for signs of Ebola did not receive clearance to dock in Cozumel, a day after Belize refused to let the passenger leave the vessel. (AP Photo/Angel Castellanos) (The Associated Press)
The Coast Guard says it has retrieved a blood sample from a Dallas health care worker who is aboard a cruise ship and being monitored for signs of Ebola.
Petty Officer Andy Kendrick says the crew flew in a helicopter Saturday to meet the Carnival Magic and lowered a basket of supplies. The woman provided a sample.
Kendrick had no further details about how the sample was taken. He says the decision to take the sample was made in coordination with the federal, state and local health authorities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officials have said the woman poses no risk because she has shown no symptoms and has voluntarily self-quarantined.
Kendrick says the sample was taken to a state lab in Austin for processing.
The ship is scheduled to return to Galveston, Texas, Sunday morning.