Manila cops collar escaped COVID-19 suspect, contact tracing set

MANILA, Philippines — The  second suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient who escaped from a quarantine center in Delpan, Manila on Tuesday has been tracked down, the Manila Police District (MPD) said.

In a phone interview, MPD chief Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda said the 25-year-old male patient is already isolated at an area in Sta. Ana, Manila.

“Nahuli na siya (patient). Sa may Sta. Ana muna nilagay. May papapuntahin (na team) para sa contact tracing,” Miranda said.

(He was already located. He was transported to Sta. Ana in the meantime. We will send teams for contact tracing.)

A 19-year-old suspected COVID-19 patient who also escaped from the facility, was earlier located by the police and sent back to the Delpan quarantine center.

Miranda said police officers who found the patients will also undergo mandatory quarantine.

Miranda said they are yet to find out the patients’ motive for escaping from the facility Tuesday morning.

Further information showed that the two patients were also detainees of MPD Station 6 or the Sta. Ana police station.

The 25-year-old detainee was arrested for drug complaints while the 19-year-old patient was detained for violation of Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

GSG