There are calls for tighter security at covid 19 isolation facilities after a break out last night

Five people took off from the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton around seven o'clock last night.

Air Commodore Darryn Webb, who's in charge of the facilities, says a person was seen exiting over a fence by a routine police patrol, and efforts to find and return the group to the facility started immediately.

Four of the absconders were quickly caught after a large scale operation involving helicopters and dog units, but one remained on the run.

That person has now been found.

Air Commodore Webb says all members of the group returned negative results on their day three covid-19 tests.