Parents Of Coronavirus Tot Fled Quarantine To Fly Home

Story ByLee Bullen,Sub EditorJoseph Golder,AgencyAsia Wire Report 

A police probe is underway in Malaysia after parents of a Chinese toddler suspected of being infected with the deadly Wuhan coronavirus tried to escape with him back home despite being quarantined because they wanted to catch a flight home.

The incident took place on 24th January when a doctor from the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in the city of Johor Bahru located in the south-western Malaysian state of Johor filed a report with the city police.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire

According to the unnamed doctor’s police report, a two-year-old patient was referred to the hospital by a private clinic with influenza-like symptoms.

The doctor, along with another paediatrician, suspected that the toddler had the Wuhan coronavirus and told the parents that the patient should be sent for quarantine at the Hospital Permai Johor Bahru for further tests, according to reports.

However, the parents reportedly refused as they had to catch a flight back to China the following day.

Police spokesperson Mohd Afzanizam Yahaya has confirmed that they had received the hospital complaint.

State health director Dr Aman Rabu said the department is investigating the matter and will send their findings to the Ministry of Health soon.

Local media said the youngster and his parents were arrested at the Senai International Airport on 25th January and the patient was sent to quarantine for treatment as the investigation continues.

According to local media, four people in Malaysia have been diagnosed with the Wuhan coronavirus so far.

The first three cases involved a 66-year-old man from Wuhan, his 65-year-old wife and their two grandsons aged 11 and two years.

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