A female patient afflicted with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) was able to escape an isolation facility in Metro Manila and managed to take a commercial flight to return to Koronadal City in Mindanao.
According to Dr. Edito Vego, acting head of the City Health Office (CHO) in Koronadal City, the patient traveled initially from Quezon City to Bulacan then later on boarded a commercial flight en route to her home province early this week.
“The patient previously tested positive for COVID-19 but escaped from isolation and returned home to attend the wake of a deceased family member,” Vego said in an interview over Bombo Radyo.
Vego said that upon verification of a Manila-General Santos flight manifesto, they were able to identify the patient who hails from Barangay Sta. Cruz.
The patient reportedly traveled from the airport to the city aboard a private van and later attended the wake at their home, he said.
The official said they already located the patient and is now “contained” in an isolation facility. They have also alerted authorities concerned to advise the airline involved.
The CHO is currently tracing the patient’s reported companion from Manila, the other co-passengers in the van, and possible contacts among family members and attendees of the “contaminated wake.”
Vego added they have yet to determine whether the patient could face sanctions or charges for violating the health protocols. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)