A 42-year-old Covid patient fled the MGM Medical College and Hospital's Covid ward on Sunday night, prompting authorities to launch a frenetic search so as to stop him from becoming a silent virus spreader.

"A 42-year-old male patient fled the medical college hospital's Covid ward on Sunday night. We along with the hospital authorities are searching for the patient, "said Sahir Pal, the district surveillance officer.

Hospital superintendent Sanjay Kumar said that the 90 Home Guard jawans who maintain the security system of the hospital have been on strike for the past 10 days.

"Had the Home Guard jawans been on duty, perhaps such an incident would not have taken place," said Kumar.

At present, the medical college hospital's Covid ward has 26 patients, but only one guard to handle security arrangements.

The East Singhbhum health department has stepped up Covid-19 testing and vaccination efforts.

District civil surgeon A.K. Lal said, "By Monday one lakh has crossed in Covid vaccination in the district. We are trying to expedite the vaccination drive further in near future."