Confirmed patient who spat 'twe' on face to be investigated by police... Was intoxicated?

Ambulance transporting COVID-19 confirmed patients / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] The police will investigate patient A, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and spat on the face of a public health center employee transporting him to the hospital.

Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency stated on the 29th that they consider A's actions as obstruction of official duties and plan to start an investigation once A's treatment is completed.

A is accused of spitting on the face of public official B from the Dalseong-gun Public Health Center in Daegu, who was driving the ambulance transporting him at around 3 a.m. on the 28th.

At that time, B, along with a nurse, visited an apartment in Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gun, where A resides, to transport the confirmed patient A to Daegu Medical Center.

A had undergone a COVID-19 test at the Dalseong-gun Public Health Center on the 23rd and entered self-quarantine, receiving a positive diagnosis on the 25th.

B picked up A, who was resting at home, and headed to Daegu Medical Center in the ambulance. During this, A reportedly used abusive language and spat on B's face. It is known that A was intoxicated at the time.

B, who was hit in the face by the spit, immediately underwent testing and entered self-quarantine. The results are expected within 1 to 2 days.

Regarding this, a police official said, "A confirmed infectious disease patient spat on a public official engaged in quarantine activities," adding, "A strict investigation is inevitable."