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Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
A man escaped from Sudima Rotorua, shown here earlier, which is used as a managed isolation facility.
A man fled a Rotorua isolation facility for half an hour before being discovered by authorities.
At around 11 p.m. Wednesday, the man was found missing from his room in Sudima Rotorua, Air Commodore’s chief of managed isolation and quarantine Darryn Webb said.
The staff found him at 11:30 p.m.
Police investigations are underway, including a closed circuit television review to establish the man’s movements while he was off the premises.
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The public health risk has been assessed as low as the man tested negative on Day 3, after arriving in New Zealand from Brisbane on Sept. 8, Webb said.
He was on day 9 of his stay and his next test was scheduled for day 12, but he had no symptoms.
However, there were indications that it did not move beyond the immediate area and exited through a fenced area.
There was no information to suggest the man came into contact with another person while he was off the premises, Webb said.
Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
A bus arrives and is unloaded at the Sudima Hotel, which is currently used as an isolation facility (file photo).
Due to concerns for his well-being, the man was taken to the hospital where he was receiving support and evaluation.
Standard Covid-19 procedures were being followed for personnel who were in contact with the man.
Webb said events of this nature were extremely rare, with eight incidents involving 12 people fleeing managed isolation.
Approximately 50,000 people had passed through a facility.
“I would like to reassure people, especially those in Rotorua who have concerns, that the health risk as a result of this incident has been assessed as low.”
Security had been tightened at the hotel, and they would be reviewing if additional measures were required.
Anyone with health concerns can call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
