COVID-19 patient ends life in ward after escape episode

A COVID-19 patient, brought back after escaping quarantinefrom medical college hospital here, was found hanging in his isolation ward on Wednesday, police said. personh hanged himself in ward when nurse went to give him medicines. He was taken to ICU immediately but could t be saved, police said. 33-year-old patient was to be discharged on Tuesday after being tested negative twice, but he escaped from hospital on same day and was caught near his house, y said.

After bringing him back to hospital, he was given counselling and or awareness sessions. "Preliminary investigation by medical college officials h indicated patient to be a tippler and has escaped quarantine due to n-availability of liquor. surveillance team has started process of tracing his contacts," a press release from Collectorate h said.

"We have registered acase," police said, ding: hospital authorities are being interrogated in connection with escape. patient is suspected to have travelled by a state-run bus to his native place in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Officials said district ministration was trying to gar details of those who travelled by bus. Meanwhile, ar 38-year-old man, under observation in same hospital, also committed suicide by hanging himself. He belonged to Nedumangu near here. He was placed in quarantine after he reached state from Tamil Nu. Kerala Health minister K K Shailaja has ordered a probe into both cases.