Updated 7pm -

A man who fled the authorities on Sunday while being taken to Boffa Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 has been tracked down and has now been put in isolation.

The police said the man had returned to Ħal Far open centre before it was locked down on Sunday evening, and he was found receiving treatment at the Red Cross clinic there.

He was escorted to Boffa hospital by the police and a medical team. He did not have contact with other people while he was outside the centre, the police said.

There are 16 COVID-19 patients being treated at Boffa hospital.

In terms of regulations issued last month, confirmed COVID-19 patients who ignore quarantine orders are liable to a fine of €10,000.

The Hal Far open centre was locked down, and all 1,000 residents put in quarantine there on Sunday after a cluster of eight COVID-19 cases was confirmed in two days.