New Jersey to release quarantined nurse

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will allow a quarantined nurse to return home to Maine after three days of controversy over her isolation, the New Jersey Department of Health announced Monday.

The nurse, Kaci Hickox, was the first person quarantined under New Jersey’s strict anti-Ebola protocols. She has protested the quarantine as “inhumane” in media interviews and engaged a lawyer to pursue legal action against New Jersey.

{mosads}Hickox is not currently showing symptoms of Ebola. State officials said they quarantined her on Friday after she was found to have a fever at the airport. Hickox disputes this, telling media outlets she was flushed and frustrated after workers prevented her from leaving for several hours. 

The quarantine took place after another returning healthcare worker was confirmed to have Ebola late Thursday night in New York City. 

The mandatory isolation periods drew swift backlash over the weekend from both the Obama administration and groups representing volunteer medical workers who are fighting Ebola in West Africa. 

Hickox has been required to stay in a tent within a Newark hospital that reportedly lacks a shower and a TV. She will now return to her home in Fort Kent, Maine, via private carrier, Christie’s official account tweeted.

“Health officials in Maine have been notified of her arrangements and will make a determination under their own laws on her treatment when she arrives,” the tweets stated.

This story was last updated at 4:12 p.m.