MISSING COVID-19 PATIENT LOCATED

COLOMBO (News 1st): The 22-year-old COVID-19 patient who was reported missing in Sapugaskanda on Saturday (Dec. 26), while undergoing home-quarantine was located on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 27), Sri Lanka Police said. "Sapugaskanda OIC had received information about the missing person; thereafter, a special police operation was conducted along with the Medical Officers of Health (MOH) and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs). The patient was located in Mahapola-North, Sapugaskanda," Police Spokesperson - DIG Ajith Rohana elaborated. According to the Police Spokesperson, the patient was staying with a girl at a house in Mahapola-North, where the girl's parents were also residing. "The Police are conducting further investigations to ascertain whether the person was intentionally accommodated by the residents. If the investigation reveals the COVID-19 patient was intentionally accommodated, stern action will be taken against the residents under the quarantine rules and regulations," the Deputy Police Chief emphasized. The COVID-19 positive patient is being transferred to a treatment centre and following treatment, he will be dealt with the quarantine law, according to DIG Ajith Rohana. The residents of the house where the patient was located, are ordered to self-quarantine. Further investigations are conducted by Sapugaskanda Police.