"50s Japanese Man Who Went to Bar Saying 'I Will Eradicate COVID-19 Virus' Dies While Hospitalized"

Electron microscope image of the novel coronavirus isolated by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] A Japanese man who, after being infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), went to a bar intending to spread the virus to others, has ultimately died.

According to Japan's Kyodo News on the 19th, a man in his 50s living in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture, who had tested positive for COVID-19, passed away while receiving hospital treatment the previous day.

The man was hospitalized on the 5th and reportedly showed symptoms such as fever and respiratory abnormalities. The cause of death was pneumonia caused by COVID-19 infection, and he was also known to have been suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Earlier, the man tested positive for COVID-19 on the 4th. Although he was instructed by the health center to stay at home, on the same day he told his family, "I will spread the virus," and went out by taxi.

CCTV footage released by Japanese media at the time captured the man making physical contact, such as putting his arm around a bar employee's shoulder, which sparked controversy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.