BREAKING: Lethem COVID-19 patient escapes from hospital

The first confirmed COVID-19 patient in Lethem, Region Nine, escaped from the Lethem Regional Hospital hours after he tested positive for the disease.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Naail Uthman confirmed to the News Room that the patient escaped. The details of the incident are sketchy at this time.

The patient is a male from St. Ignatius, Region Nine and was in isolation at the hospital.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence confirmed on Monday that the he was among five new cases in the country.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker had told the News Room that the patient was being treated for malaria in Bonfim, Brazil and after he got worse he checked into the Lethem Hospital.

He was immediately taken into isolation after displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

The News Room will provide more details in a subsequent story.