Five patients, suspected to be infected with COVID-19, escaped from the coronavirus isolation wards of Mayo Hospital in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Friday night. According to updates, three of them have returned while the search is on for the other two. Police will be deployed outside the isolation ward, said Ravindra H Thakare, Nagpur Collector and District Magistrate.

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According to news agencies, one of the patients had already tested negative for COVID-19, but the results of the other four were awaited before all five escaped.

"One of them had tested negative, reports of other 4 were awaited. We have traced them and they will be brought back to the hospital by the administration," said S Suryavanshi, Sub-Inspector, Nagpur Tehsil police station.

The police official also said that the suspects had left the ward for snacks but did not return later.

"The five suspects left the hospital and to inspect the matter, I visited the hospital. I learned that the suspects left the ward for snacks but didn't return," Suryavanshi said, adding, "Since it is a sensitive issue, we are coordinating with the staff of Mayo hospital."

The number of infected individuals in Maharashtra is 19, the highest among all the states in the country, on par with Kerala.

All cinema theatres, gyms, swimming pools remain closed and events of public functions and mass gatherings are banned in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, and Pimpri Chinchwad since Friday, under the directions of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The concern around the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak has reached its zenith worldwide, with entire countries going into quarantine, major sports tournaments being cancelled, and widespread social and economic instability.

As of 11:40 AM on Saturday, the global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has crossed 5,436, with more than 145,682 people in 145 countries infected around the world. In China, the epicenter of the outbreak, the situation is the worst. With 80,824 cases (11 new) and 3,189 deaths (13 new), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has already placed the country at a 'Very High' risk assessment level.

Outside of China, more than 44,000 cases (6,703 new), and 1,440 deaths (310 new) have been confirmed, with countries like Italy (17,500+ cases), Iran (11,300+ cases), and South Korea (8,000+ cases) facing the worst situations of the lot.

In India, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country is 83, with two deaths till now. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the central government has launched a helpline number: +91-11-23978046 for coronavirus-related inquiry and support. There are also separate helpline numbers for the different states and union territories.

The helpline phone number for coronavirus in Mumbai is: 020-26127394

Among the number of positive cases of coronavirus infection in India, 66 are Indian nationals, while 17 are foreign nationals (16 Italians and 1 Canadian). More than 11.7 lakh people have been screened at airports across the country.