Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins told NBC News Thursday he doesn't want Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital to have more than one Ebola patient at a time.
Jenkins says that's why Amber Vinson was moved to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta Wednesday and Nina Pham was moved to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Maryland Thursday.
"We have two contingency levels, and I'm putting a third one in place today," Jenkins said Thursday.
It's all a part of preparing for what's next. Jenkins said the beds need to remain open for other potential Ebola cases, which Jenkins called a "very real possibility."
"I don't really want to see this hospital have more than one active Ebola case at any time because as we bring more Ebola cases in I need those beds open," Jenkins said.
"The people of Dallas County are strong people, they're resilient people," Jenkins said. "99 and half percent of them are going on in their daily lives and in prayerful support of these people who are affected by this."
The hospital said the decision to move Pham was made in consultation with Pham and her family. In a statement, Presbyterian said in part, "We believe that transferring Nina to the National Institutes of Health is the right decision."
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"It was a difficult decision to transfer Nina, a member of our own family and someone who is greatly loved and respected," Dr. Gary Weinstein, chief of pulmonology and critical care medicine said Thursday. "We're so glad she has improved so much in such a short amount of time. Our prayers are with her, and she'll be in wonderful hands at NIH."
Pham asked the hospital to release the following statement: "I'm so thankful for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, my coworkers and complete strangers. I feel very blessed, and have gained strength from their support. I appreciate everything that my coworkers have done to care for me at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. I'm doing really well thanks to this team, which is the best in the world. I believe in my talented coworkers. I am #presbyproud!"
