Quoted in the article, Duncan’s nephew says that the family is no longer able to speak with Duncan by phone because he is too sick to speak now. So his condition has worsened.
It means he is most likely brain dead and the surface of his tounge has fallen off. Next phase his innards turn to jelly and ooze out.
They are moving the others b/c phase 1 is about to set in on them. Fever, vomiting. Etc.
IMHO they would leave them there if they were healthy to show everyone everything is okay.