Hong Kong police found a missing coronavirus patient late Sunday - more than 50 hours he escaped a hospital pandemic ward.
Police found Li Wan-keung, 63, in Mong Kok around 11 p.m. after a tip and returned him to the hospital. He was in a stable condition but showed some signs of infection, according to health authorities.
After escaping the hospital in a mask, patient gown and running shoes, Li disappeared for 54 hours and was wearing a different set of clothing when apprehended.
Hospitals are now looking to improve security for COVDI-19 pandemic wards - including guards and CCTV cameras.
"Staff spotted that the patient was making his way to run away from the ward," a representative for Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon said.
"They chased him but the efforts were in vain...and a follow-up search in the hospital compound didn't locate the patient."
This was not the first time Li had attempted an escape since checking into hospital Dec. 14. His last foiled attempt occurred the day before and officials speculated his success was a result of "moving too quickly" while health workers were occupied.
Hong Kong is in a pandemic fourth - leaving hospitals and health workers with their hands full.
The number of new coronavirus infections over the weekend reached nearly 200 - 109 Saturday and 74 Sunday - with 11 imported cases.
"The infection number is lower but yesterday was over 100," said the Health Authority's Dr. Chuang on Sunday. "Hopefully we can stabilize the number of confirmed cases, then see a downward trend."
