Kuala Muda district police chief Adzli Abu Shah said various teams were mobilised to look for the 39-year-old male patient after he was reported missing at 8.45am.

“A special task force was sent to the patient’s house in Taman Bandar Baru, Sungai Lalang, but he was not at home,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

Adzli said the man was admitted to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital here and underwent minor surgery on his hand which had pus last Thursday.

“He also underwent the Covid-19 swab test and was found to be positive on Friday. He was quarantined at the B1 ward of the old Sungai Petani Hospital,” he said.

The man had been warded for six days and a nurse on duty only realised he had gone missing yesterday, Adzli added.

“Other patients claimed they saw the man leaving the ward at about 6.30am yesterday with his bag and personal belongings,” he said.

He urged anyone with information on the patient to contact the nearest police station or the health ministry.