Likelihood of Boston patient having Ebola 'extremely low'

(Story updated Monday, Oct. 13 at 1:03 p.m. ET)

The patient being evaluated at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston for possible Ebola infection is in good condition and remains in isolation, the hospital said Monday.

The man was transported Sunday to Beth Israel after walking into an office of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Braintree, Mass. Hospital officials later determined that he did not meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for Ebola risk and said the likelihood that he has the virus is “extremely low.”

“We want to emphasize, there is no risk to other patients, visitors or staff,” the hospital said in a statement. “BIDMC remains open for clinical operations.”

In a statement Monday, Dr. Ben Kruskal, Harvard Vanguard's infectious disease chief, said the clinic was prepared for and anticipated such a scenario. He said there is no danger to the clinic's staff or patients.

“The situation was handled well and the patient, who was clinically stable, was quickly ushered out of the building and into his own car to reduce any potential exposure of others,” Kruskal said. “Even in the very unlikely event that the patient turns out to have Ebola, it is important to note that no one in the Braintree office would have had significant exposure—neither our staff nor other patients present in the building at the time.”

A nurse at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas continues to be the first U.S. case in which a patient was infected by another person. Officials stress that providers treating Ebola patients must follow protocol when removing their protective gear.

Follow Adam Rubenfire on Twitter: @arubenfire