Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jul 6: The coronavirus patient who had escaped from Wenlock hospital was caught by the police here on Monday July 6.
The 18-year-old patient, identified as Devaraj, had escaped from the hospital on Sunday July 5. The police had launched a manhunt for him and had even requested help from the public.
Police constables Shankarappa Lamani and Shankarappa Nandyal were successful in tracing the runaway youth and taking him back to Wenlock hospital.
The youth was caught at around 3 pm near State Bank. While the police were looking for him, some locals informed the cops that he was spotted near the area. It is learnt that he had no money to travel and was wandering around Nehru Maidan. He was finally found at a bar in the area.
Devaraj, a native of Darbe in Puttur, was staying at his grandmother's house in the city. He had voluntarily visited Wenlock on July 1 to get himself tested for coronavirus. As he displayed symptoms of the virus, he was shifted to COVID ward where doctors were treating him.
However, after the test report which was received on Sunday confirmed that he had contracted the infection, he escaped from the hospital.
Applauding the constables for tracing the youth, police commissioner Vikash Kumar tweeted, "Police Constables Shankarappa Lamani & Shankarappa Nandyal does real heroic act of tracing and arresting back the runaway (COVID-19) positive accused from Wenlock Hospital. But for their prompt and dedicated act, accused Devraj could have infected many, without even knowing it (sic)."