Coronavirus: Woman, 31, 'infected with disease' flees hospital sparking police search

A woman suspected of being infected by the coronavirus fled her isolation ward in Austria, prompting a major police hunt.

On Tuesday the woman voluntarily came to Salzburg University Medical Center close to the German border.

However, the 31-year-old disappeared from her room overnight.

A huge search operation was sparked which led police to find her at her home.

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It has been sent to a laboratory in Vienna for testing, Die Presse reported.

The patient's bed was found empty at around 3am when a nurse went to check on her.

The police, the state medical directorate and the city's health department were all informed.

There have been multiple suspected coronavirus cases in Austria, Vindobona reported.

At the end of January a couple from Salzburg were placed in isolation after returning from Shanghai with breathing difficulties.

In Vienna 500 beds have been earmarked for people with the disease, with a further 200 available in private hospitals if required.