According to reports, dozens of residents of a Belgian nursing home have died of coronavirus since a volunteer Santa Claus who visited the facility tested positive for the disease.
St. Nicholas visited the Hemelrijck home in Mol on December 5 at an event organized by the facility’s management and, days later, many residents began to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, The Guardian reported.
In addition to 26 deaths, an additional 85 residents and 40 staff members tested positive for the virus, the report said.
The municipality of Mols blew up the event after photos emerged showing residents without masks.
“We deeply regret that, after looking at several photos, we have to conclude that this goes far beyond a mistake,” said the municipality of Mols in a statement to the Guardian.
“Instead, it is a completely irresponsible event. We would never have approved that, ”said the municipality.
The cause of the outbreak is not certain and a formal inquiry has not been launched, the report said.