Over the course of the epidemic, Lukwiya had been quoted almost daily in the national media. The "New York Times" described his image: "the fearless field commander at the center of a biological war that threatened everyone in the country". His death shocked the country. Even though the outbreak was in steep decline by the time of Lukwiya's death, it sent shockwaves through the health sector. St. Mary's stopped accepting Ebola patients, a number of disillusioned health workers across Gulu District quit, while some suspected Ebola patients refused to go to a hospital, reasoning that if the top medic couldn't be saved there was no point in them seeking treatment.