Queen Elizabeth Hospital update on a walk-away patient incident

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding a walk-away patient incident earlier, the spokesman for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) today (December 21) made the following update:
 
     A 63-year-old confirmed COVID-19 patient (case number: 7379) fled away from the QEH isolation ward on December 18. The hospital reported the case to the Police immediately. The patient was located by the Police and escorted back to the hospital isolation ward for treatment shortly at around 12am. The patient is now in stable condition.
 
     The hospital wards have enhanced patient's management and surveillance. Security has been enhanced to the floors of isolation wards and extra patrols have been deployed.
 
     The hospital appeals to all patients under isolation treatment to strictly follow the direction of medical staff. They should not leave the hospital without permission in order to protect the public and for their own health. The hospital will continue to cooperate with the police investigation.