University of Minnesota will be regional Ebola treatment center

Federal funds will give Minnesota one of nine regional treatment centers for Ebola patients in the country. The Minnesota Department of Health said Friday that it will receive $3.25 million over five years to bolster the University of Minnesota Medical Center's containment unit to care for patients with Ebola and other highly infectious diseases.

"I think it reflects the fact that we have highly competent and well trained staff and facilities," Ehlinger said. "I think it reflects the fact that we have a great relationship between hospitals and the health department. And I think it reflects the fact that we have a great university that can also do some of the research that's linked with some of these infectious diseases."

The facility would treat up to four patients from six states in the Midwest. Minnesota will continue to have hospitals prepared to treat Ebola at four designated treatment centers.