Foreigner who tested positive for COVID-19 escapes Hospital in Bicol

Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda is asking the public to help the authorities locate the foreigner who escaped from Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi, the said foreigner is positive for Coronavirus.

According to Salceda, the foreigner is a 52-year-old male Mechanic who was identified as Richard Gary Tauscher. He resisted the official of BRTTH and had escaped the Medical Facility.


“Between March 16 to 25, he resisted and escaped from BRTTH. And was last seen on March 25,” the lawmaker said.

The escaped of the said foreigner poses a great risk to other people. that is why Salceda is asking the public to report to the police outpost in the city or in the local Government unit if they have any information regarding the whereabouts of the said foreigner.

“Any information so he could be admitted to BRTTH please relay to LGU Legazpi, PNP Legazpi, DOH or BRTTH. Just report information but it takes special handling,” Salceda said.


“At large, he clearly poses risks to himself and to the public health. This post is empowered by Republic Act No. 11332 or Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases,” he noted.

According to the Department of Health As of Friday, there are 3 people who tested positive for COVID19 in Bicol Region. 1 of the patients was admitted to Naga at Bicol Medical Center and two are in Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi.


Update: March 28, 2020 06:30 pm
The foreigner had already been found and the authorities from Bicol had later clarified that the said foreigner didn't escape from the hospital but was sent home due to mild symptoms. The authorities had already found him and had been put into isolation. Authorities in Bicol are now doing contact tracing to those people who might have contact with him.