Man infected with coronavirus goes to bars ‘to spread’ it

A man in his 50s visited two bars in Gamagori City after he was reported to be diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, reports Tokyo Reporter on Thursday.

At around 6:00 pm the day before, the man was sent home for being infected with the novel coronavirus and was told to remain at home until an appropriate medical institution was found for treatment. 

However, he decided to take a taxi to an izakaya bar, reports Fuji News Network.

He reportedly told a family member before departure, "I am going to spread the virus."

Then he left on foot for a women's staffed pub. He informed people there at the second bar, "I tested positive [for the coronavirus]." 

Upon receiving the confession, a member of staff notified a local health service. Gamagori Police Station police, clad in protective suits, appeared at the bar only to discover that the guy had already returned to his house by taxi.

"I can't get that clear in my head," a member of the team was quoted. "I can't express it in words because I'm just mad." 

Both establishments are undergoing sterilization, the city said. As well, staff members and customers are now undergoing examinations.

The man, who displayed no signs of the virus, was checked because both of his parents, with whom he resides, were diagnosed with the virus.

On Thursday, the man was sent to a medical institution. "It is highly regrettable that he did not remain home as instructed," Gamagori mayor Toshiaki Suzuki said.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said that as of Friday morning the total number of cases of coronavirus had reached 1,057.

The figure includes 706 persons from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama Port. As of Thursday, there were 57 cases in Aichi Prefecture.