A woman from Washington with tuberculosis who allegedly rejected treatment for more than a year will be arrested as a result of her refusal, according to Gizmodo. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department says that the woman defied court regulations that ordered her to stay isolated until her treatment was complete. Reports say on Friday, a local judge allocated a warrant for her arrest as officials plan on treating her at a detention facility.
Toward the end of January, the department of health warned the public of an active case of tuberculosis in the vicinity, alerting people that the woman failed and refused to be treated with antibiotics. Reporting by The News Tribune showcased a long fiction between the sick woman and health authorities.
Back in January 2022, the health department requested and won its first case against the woman which required her to involuntarily isolate at home until she wasn’t deemed a threat to the public. The health department said she started treatment started; however, stopped the medication. Over the course of the next year, the unidentified woman ignored the court’s order to stay in quarantine. Recently, the woman reportedly went to an emergency department after a car accident and she failed to inform staff of her condition, possibly exposing them.
During that time, the health department informed The News Tribune that they are looking to have the woman arrested and detained to be treated. According to KOMO News, the health department saw Judge Philip Sorenson for the 16th time last week to find a solution. The woman allegedly began taking treatment between December and February of this year but stopped again. The Judge later issued a warrant for her arrest.
If you’re unaware, Tuberculosis is considered a huge
“public health threat,”
reports Gizmodo. Reports continued to say that the woman’s arrest is scheduled for Friday; however, she has the opportunity to volunteer for treatment. If arrested, she’ll be sent to Pierce County Jail for treatment and seclusion.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
