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Police in Ohio are investigating a Facebook post where someone who claimed to have coronavirus symptoms said they were actively spreading it to others in supermarkets.
The Piqua Police Department said it was made aware of the post, dated March 13, by someone who identified himself as Ethan Summers.
"In this post, he stated he has been coughing with a fever and is actively spreading his illness around to local shopping areas," the department said in a news release on Tuesday. A cough and fever are common symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The police department said they have not received any reports of anyone doing this, but are looking to identify the person who made the Facebook post.
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According to WHIO, the post said: "I've been coughing with a fever, but I think it's best to treat myself like a vaccine. I've been going to grocery stores and wiping my dirty tissues on canned foods, cleaning products, and toilet paper.
"If you get sick, then you will be immune to it. God chose me to do this, and I sure hope I am doing it right. I love you guy, stop panicking. After it hits, all will be fine."
In a comment on the post, he claimed that he had done this at Kroger and Walmart stores in Piqua as well as a Kroger store in nearby Troy. He added he was planning to hit stores in Greenville next.
But after the post caught the attention of police, he claimed in another Facebook post that it had been a joke and that he was not sick or even in Ohio.
"Hey everyone. As one of my posts blew up I want to admit right now this whole account is a troll," he wrote.
"I'm sorry that it didn't look obvious that most of my posts were trolling. I haven't coughed on anything. I'm not even sick. I'm not even in the state of Ohio right now, I'm in New Jersey with my family."
The Piqua Police Department has been contacted for additional comment.
Anyone with information about who the writer of the Facebook post may be is urged to contact the department at 937-778-2027 or 937-615-TIPS(8477).
The U.S. has more than 55,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 800 deaths, including four in Ohio, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 350 have recovered.
Globally, the novel coronavirus has sickened more than 420,000 people and caused almost 19,000 deaths. More than 108,000 people have recovered.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- If you feel unwell (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and call local health authorities in advance.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
About the writer
Khaleda Rahman is Newsweek's National Correspondent based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on education and national news. Khaleda ... Read more