Escaped Covid-19 patient from Ragama Hospital found

The 62-year-old male COVID-19 patient, who escaped from the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragama this morning, was found near the hospital by this afternoon, Hospital Director Dr Shelton Perera said.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, he said the patient had escaped from the hospital while the result of the PCR test carried out on him was brought to him.   

“We have no details of his whereabouts at the moment and therefore, his movements will be traced,” Dr. Perera said.

He said subsequently, the patient was transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) as he tested positive for the virus with the PCR test.  

Meanwhile, police said a team attached to the Peliyagoda Police Station today launched an operation in search of the patient as he was a resident of Peliyagoda. They also sought public support to locate the patient

The patient is addicted to drugs and was believed to have escaped in search of drugs.

Moreover, when contacted a PHI officer, he said a man with similar appearance was found near the Fort Railway Station. However, he was not the person whom they were looking for.

Meanwhile, family sources of the patient said he had not arrived at any of their residences in the Peliyagoda area. (Sheain Fernandopulle)