Dozens of residents of a Belgian retirement village have reportedly died of coronavirus as a volunteer Santa Claus who visited the facility tested positive for the disease.
Saint Nicholas visited the Hemelrijck House in Mol on 5 December in an event organized by the management of the facility, and days later many residents started showing COVID-19 symptoms, reports The Guardian.
In addition to 26 deaths, 85 residents and 40 staff members tested positive for the virus, the report said.
The municipality of Mols exploded the opportunity after photos came to light showing that residents are without masks.
“We regret that after taking several photos we have to conclude that this goes far beyond a mistake,” the Mols municipality said in a statement to the Guardian.
‘It’s rather an irresponsible event. We would never have approved it, ”the municipality said.
The cause of the outbreak is not certain and a formal investigation has not been launched, the report said.