Mangaluru man who fled isolation hospital cajoled to come back

Mangaluru: A man with flu-like symptoms who was sent into isolation in a Mangaluru hospital fled the ward in terror before doctors could draw his samples to test for coronavirus on Monday.

Officials caught up with him by evening and succeeded in pacifying him. They collected samples from him and sent them to the lab.

Ever since the coronavirus scare arose, health officials here have been screening persons arriving at the port and airport in Mangalore.

This man, a native of Mangaluru, arrived from Dubai on Sunday evening. As screening staff found him to be running a fever, he was asked to undergo tests for the COVID-19 virus.

He was put in an ambulance and sent to the isolation ward of the government Hospital immediately.

According to sources, the man became angry and refused any treatment or test at the government hospital. He said he preferred to go to a private hospital.
Hours later, he left the hospital with his belongings including his passport. Alarmed officials tracked him down and succeeded in pacifying him by evening.
"The person is now back in the isolation ward. Health officials have collected his samples. The reports are expected shortly," said Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh.

The officer asked officials to counsel people who are found to be having any symptoms at the airport. The person should be provided proper information to ensure that he cooperates," she said.

She also asked officials to take the person to an isolation ward in a hospital of his choice.

"However, if the patient refuses to get admitted, then officials will have to get him admitted in the public interest," she added.