Woman Escapes From COVID-19 Ward Along With Newborn Baby, Disobeying Quarantine Guideline

A woman in India was charged for allegedly escaping from a hospital with her newborn baby after testing positive for COVID-19.

The incident took place in the northern city of Chandigarh. The 30-year-old woman was admitted to the isolation ward at the Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) with her 2-day-old son Saturday.

However, the woman left the hospital Monday without informing anyone, disobeying the COVID-19 quarantine guidelines set by GMCH, the Hindustan Times reported.

Following her escape, the hospital staff informed the police, who launched a search for the woman and her baby. The woman has been identified as Rajwinder Kaur, according to The Times of India.

Local media reported Tuesday the police were successful in locating the missing woman. They filed a case against the woman under Sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), Section 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), Section 271 (Disobedience to quarantine rule) and Section 51 of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Chandigarh reported 540 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, the positivity rate decreasing to 11.81 percent from 17.8 percent.

While the recovery count went to 78,664, the confirmed cases were 86,800. The death toll went to 1,103.

“We have seen a steady decline in cases for a week now. It is expected the daily cases will reduce further. Chandigarh is one of the few states which has been seeing a decrease in the active cases,” a public health expert told The Times of India.

In the last 24 hours, India recorded 285,000 COVID-19 cases, 11 percent higher than Tuesday, with a marginal rise in the positivity rate as compared to the previous day.

Last week, a notorious drug peddler in India escaped from the COVID-19 ward at GMSH-16 in Chandigarh after testing positive for the virus. The peddler jumped through a window, but was apprehended within 90 minutes. Local media said at the time the drug peddler picked a green gown meant for health staff, tied it with the iron grill of a window facing the rear and jumped out. She suffered a minor injury to her foot, India Express reported.