Escape From Isolation Centres by Covid-19 Patients: A World-Wide Situatational Review

Abstract

Subsequent to the pandemic of COVID-19 in 2019, the media and other people have reported of some patients and suspected people who attempted to and/or have escaped from isolation centers all over the world. It is baffling that persons considered being sick and in this case, at risk to the larger populace unceremoniously leaving the care center. In fact, the numerous reports suggesting high proportion of asymptomatic patients aggravates fear and panic among the larger populace when news of escapees from isolation centers comes public. Meanwhile, managers have explained that COVID-19 patients in isolation centers receive best treatment, attention and care. However, since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic reasons for escaping from isolation centers have not been collated especially with perspectives from different countries and culture. In this study, the authors sought to identify and make meaning of the reasons for escaping from isolation centers to inform as well as modify decision markers strategies. Some of the questions the study sought to answer were, has escape from isolation centers by COVID-19 patients happened only in Ghana, so, what could be the common and/ or distinct underlying reasons behind escaping actions across the world, and how will the knowledge of these reasons help transform management practice to achieve best cooperation
from patients? The research method was largely qualitative which adopted deductive research approach and archival research strategy. However, quantitative research technique was used in reporting counts of documents evaluated for the study as well as persons who escaped from isolation centers. In this light, total of (15) fifteen published news items, 35 articles and 22 text books were reviewed. Escaping from isolation center has happened world-over. In addition to Ghana in West Africa East South and Central Africa, as well as Japan in Asia and some parts of North America etc. have reported of escaping of COVID-19 patients while stigmatization stands as the main reason for escaping. In conclusion, it is imperative that patients in isolation centers are made to feel respected, receive mandatory counseling, daily update of information on well-being of their families and their own well-being. These techniques in addition to the ones already being used at the isolation centers will most likely contribute to limiting the tendency for escape.