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Officials avert escape attempt of another Covid patient at IDH

24 Nov 2020 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

Special strategy to be implemented to prevent drug addicts escaping from treatment centres

  • Steps have been taken to transfer him to another secured treatment centre

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Following the number of incidents related to Covid-19 patients running away during treatment, authorities are looking to implement a special strategy to avert patients attempting to escape from treatment centres, specially drug addicted persons, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.  

He said in a latest incident, another Covid-19 positive patient who attempted to escape from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Angoda has been apprehended.  


DIG Rohana said that the security officials of IDH apprehended a 22-year-old Covid positive patient at the hospital premises when he was trying to escape from the ward.   

 

 

  • It was revealed that all Covid positive patients who escaped from treatment centres are connected to drug offences


He said steps have been taken to transfer him to another secured treatment centre.  


The spokesman said they would implement a special strategy in connection with those  addicted to drugs, as several persons receiving treatment for Covid-19 had tried to escape on previous occasions.  


Accordingly, a 60-year-old person had escaped from the Covid ward of Ragama Hospital while another 25-year-old person had escaped from Salawa Hospital. Last week, a 25-year-old woman had escaped from the IDH hospital along with her two-year-old child.  


“We analysed these situations and it was revealed that all Covid positive patients who escaped from treatment centres are connected to drug offences,” he said.  


He said that if a person found to be Covid positive is taken to a treatment centre, the relatives or friends have a responsibility to inform the Police or the health authorities that that particular person is 
drug dependent.  


He said that the authorities could then take appropriate action.