Dozens of residents in a Belgian retirement home have reportedly died of coronavirus since a Santa volunteer who visited the facility tested positive for the disease.
St. Nicholas visited the Hemelrijck house in Mol on Dec. 5 at an event organized by the facility’s management and days later many residents began to show symptoms of COVID-19, The Guardian reported.
In addition to 26 fatalities, 85 more residents and 40 staff members have tested positive for the virus, according to the report.
The municipality of Mols exploded the event after photos appeared where residents were seen without masks.
“We deeply regret that, after looking at several photos, we have to conclude that this goes far beyond a mistake,” the municipality of Mols said in a statement to the Guardian.
“Rather, it is a completely irresponsible event. We would never have approved it, ”the municipality said.
The cause of the outbreak is uncertain and no formal investigation has been initiated, according to the report.