Four Covid-19 suspects arrested for escaping from Arua quarantine centre

Arua, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  Four contacts of COVID-19 patients who escaped from Arua Prison Primary School institutional quarantine centre have been arrested.

The four, who were quarantined together with 20 others, two weeks ago, took advantage of a heavy downpour and the subsequent power blackout between 7 and 10 pm on Saturday to escape. 

Sandra Ewacabo the in-charge of COVID-19 resource mobilization and a member of the rapid response team to community alerts says that four of the contacts were arrested from their homes in Arua Municipality. 

Ewacabo adds that they were taken to Arua Police Station and charged with escape from lawful custody and returned to the quarantine centre. 

Paul Bishop Drileba the District Health Officer Arua and member of the district COVID-19 task force warns the public against allowing suspects in the community without presenting to them discharge letters and certificates from the covid-19 task force. 

According to Drileba, suspects who escape from the quarantine centres put the lives of their families and community members at risk.

Nahori Oya, the Resident District Commissioner Arua, says that adequate security measures will be put in place at the quarantine centres to minimize incidents of suspects escaping. 

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