COVID19: Search for female Guinean national who tested positive intensified

Security operatives in the Northern regional capital have intensified their search for a Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient who escaped from quarantine in Tamale.

The escapee, a Guinean national was among the 10 ECOWAS nationals from Guinea and Burkina Faso who tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID19) in Tamale last week and were quarantined at the hotel they were lodging in on their arrival in Tamale on March 24, 2020.

According to sources within the Regional Security set up, the Guinean COVID-19 patient escaped on the blind side of the security officers made up of two policemen and two soldiers who were detailed there to ensure that the 10 COVID-19 patients quarantined at the facility do not escape.

The sources revealed that the lady might have escaped around night or the early hours of Monday, March 30, 2020, by scaling the fence wall of the hotel. She left behind all her personal belongings.

The source intimated that the security personnel who were on guard duties at the hotel at the time of escape of the female Guinean national were not provided with any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) but were armed.

Confirmation

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed who confirmed the escape said security operatives have intensified their search for the female Guinean national.

He said they were collaborating with community leaders to help trace the escapee.

Mr Saeed added that security and safety measures have been stepped up in the metropolis and its environs in the wake of the escape.

He added that the security personnel who were on guard duties during the escape of the COVID-19 patients at the hotel are also being dealt with by their services commanders.