Police Hunt Runaway Covid-19 Patient

Police have launched a search for a 63-year-old man who fled a hospital isolation unit four days after being admitted with Covid-19.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital called in officers after the man was seen leaving the isolation unit at about 5pm on Friday. Staff were unable to catch up with him.

"The ward staff chased him but the efforts were in vain," a spokesman said. "The patient had fled away to staircase. The ward staff immediately informed the hospital security, the follow-up search in the hospital compound did not locate the patient."

As well as the police, the incident has been reported to the Centre for Health Protection and the Hospital Authority's head office.

The man is said to be about 1.6 metres tall and of medium build with black short hair. He was last seen wearing hospital patient clothes, a navy blue jacket and sport shoes with a surgical mask.

People are urged to contact the police of the hospital if they know when the man is. He was admitted on Monday.

The spokesman added: "The hospital appeals to all patients under isolation treatment to strictly follow the direction of medical staff. They should not leave the hospital without permission in order to protect the public and for their own health."