Spanish man arrested for allegedly infecting over 20 people with coronavirus

A Spanish man has been arrested for allegedly infecting more than 20 people with COVID-19, according CNN. 

The 40-year-old man, who lives on the Spanish island of Mallorca, went to work and did not self-isolate despite exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and later testing positive for the disease.

“Despite having symptoms and having done a PCR test, he continued his normal life without waiting for the result or quarantining,” Spanish police said, according to CNN.

The man attended work while experiencing coughing and running a high fever. 

He was ordered to go home by management and his colleagues, but he declined to do so. He also reportedly lowered his face mask and said, “I am going to infect you all with the coronavirus,” the Spanish National Police wrote in a statement.

The people infected were at his place of employment and the gym he attends. Those who tested positive for the virus after coming in contact with the man included children as young as 1 year old, according to police. 

Spain, at one point a European hot spot for the coronavirus, has seen something of a plateau in new cases in recent weeks, according to data compiled by The New York Times. 

The country has had more than 3.4 million cases since the beginning of the pandemic and more than 77,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.