COVID patient escapes from govt hospital, threatens to hug policemen

The patient, a former ward boy at a government hospital, was admitted at the RGGGH along with his family members recently after they all tested positive for the virus.

On Monday night, the patient escaped from the isolation ward without wearing mask or gloves and walked to his house in Basin Bridge. When the officials reached his house to bring him back, he refused to go with them.

“When the police and Corporation staff personnel visited his home and asked him to return to the hospital, he threatened to hug the police personnel and infect them too,” an official said.

Later, the police locked his house from outside and a guard was stationed at the entrance to ensure he stays inside.

On Tuesday morning, Health department officials and Corporation staff went inside his house with personal protective equipment and brought him back to the RGGGH in their vehicle. A police team led by an Assistant Commissioner followed the patient’s vehicle to ensure that he safely reaches the hospital.

However, the hospital authorities said that the patient was on treatment for withdrawal symptoms and is

currently stable.