COVID-19 Patient Who Escaped From Delta Isolation Centre Arrested In Enugu

A Covid-19 patient who escaped from the Delta state isolation and treatment centre has been found in Enugu state, Allnews reports. 

Last month, fear enveloped Ughelli Central hospital, after a male patient suspected to have contracted the disease, escaped by the help of his relatives. 

This adds to the rising number of confirmed cases absconding from their isolation centres across the country. 

The Delta state government, in its reaction, denied the reports, saying nothing of such happened. 

However, on Tuesday, the Enugu state Commissioner for Health, Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu, announced that the escapee from delta has been found in Enugu. 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner and made available to Allnews. 

According to him, the discovery was the collaborative effort of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, the state's rapid response team/taskforce on COVID-19 and the state's security apparatus with the Delta State COVID 19 taskforce. 

Mr Ikechukwu made it known that the patient was detected, contained and returned on Monday evening. 

He noted that contact tracing and decontamination has commenced immediately after he was evacuated to Delta state. 

"For record purposes, total cases ever detected in Enugu State remains 8, with 6 active cases receiving treatment." 

"The Enugu State Ministry of Health, therefore, reminds the good people of Enugu State that in times like these, we owe a responsibility to each other to inform relevant authorities when we develop symptoms or know someone who may have symptoms or history of cross boundaries travel into the state."

Accordingly, the Enugu State Ministry of Health advised the people of the state on the need to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 restriction orders and other precautionary measures in the state. 

"All inter-state land boundaries remain closed as earlier directed except for medical emergencies and movement of essential goods and services.

The Presidential directive on the compulsory use of face masks or covering in public and the overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am has taken effect yesterday, May 4, 2020. 

NDI-ENUGU are encouraged to strictly adhere to these restrictions and control measures, in addition to maintaining physical distancing and good personal hygiene," Mr Ikechukwu said, reiterating the guidelines. 

He however disclosed that state government is in consultation with all relevant agencies and stakeholders towards a comprehensive review of all measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.