Wa: COVID-19 escapee busted

The Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of Simon Okafor Chukwudi, a Nigerian national who tested positive for COVID-19 but absconded from isolation at Wapaani, a suburb of Wa in the Upper West Region.

The Police in a statement said Chukwudi was apprehended today , April 17, 2020 at Kpongu, also a suburb of Wa in the Upper West Region, after a vigorous manhunt.

"Seven [7] others, believed to have had contacts with him have also been identified and moved to the Wa Regional Hospital where they have been quarantined for observation," a Police statement said.

"Simon Okafor Chukwudi, 46, was informed of his positive status by health officials on 13th April, 2020 and was told to self-isolate in his home, until further notice but he left the house without a trace until he was apprehended today".

Background

Chukwudi, 46, was among seven confirmed cases in the region.

He had been kept under surveillance at his residence by officials of the Ghana Health Service awaiting the outcome of his test results for COVID-19 which came out positive last Monday.

According to the Upper West Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih, Okafor absconded when health officials went to his residence to escort him to the regional hospital.