Follow the Story
Trump seeks more than $1.4B in Ebola funding from Congress
French health ministry confirms doctor who worked in Congo infected with Ebola virus
Confirmed Ebola cases in Congo outbreak top 1,000 with 254 deaths
Famine risks rise as UN food agencies warn acute hunger will worsen in 13 hot spots
Red Cross says deadly Congo Ebola epidemic yet to peak, may last a year
World Cup ebola risk is ‘extremely low’ — but experts say the US is prepared
Kaci Hickox is free to roam again.
A Maine judge has rejected an attempt by state health officials to restrict the movement of the nurse, who has defied a quarantine for medical workers who’ve treated Ebola patients.
Judge Charles C. LaVerdiere ruled Friday that Hickox should continue daily active monitoring and coordinate any travel with state officials. He noted that she is not showing symptoms and is therefore not infectious.
Under the new order, she must agree to “direct active monitoring,” report any symptoms and coordinate her travel with health officials until a hearing takes place.
LaVerdiere thanked Hickox, 33, for her service in Sierra Leone.
“The court is fully aware of the misconceptions, misinformation, bad science and bad information being spread from shore to shore in our country with respect to Ebola,” he wrote. “The court is fully aware that people are acting out of fear and that this fear is not entirely rational.”
Maine Gov. Paul LePage disagreed with the judge’s ruling, but said the “state will abide by the law.”
“As governor, I have done everything I can to protect the health and safety of Mainers,” he said. “The judge has eased restrictions with this ruling and I believe it is unfortunate.”
The latest legal salvo overrode a temporary order filed Thursday night that required Hickox to stay at least three feet away from others, avoid public places, not leave Fort Kent, agree to active monitoring and coordinate travels with health officials.
Norman Siegel, Hickox’s civil-rights attorney hailed the judge’s ruling.
“This sets a precedent that in America we won’t quarantine people unless they have symptoms,” he said Friday afternoon.
He said that her monitoring calls for a state health worker to visit her daily.
The state sought restrictions until Hickox’s 21-day incubation period ends on Nov. 10.
Hickox, who treated Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, has contended confinement at her home in northern Maine violated her rights.
She returned to Maine after being held under quarantine in a Newark, N.J., tent until Gov. Chris Christie released her.
She took a defiant bike ride with her boyfriend on Thursday — while being followed by state troopers who had been stationed outside her house. Shortly after Friday’s ruling, the troopers left their post.
Rebecca Rosenberg and Post Wire Services contributed reporting



