Connecticut doctor arrested for 'deliberately' hugging and coughing on two coworkers amid coronavirus outbreak
FARMINGTON, CONNECTICUT: A doctor at the University of Connecticut Health Center was reportedly arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for hugging and coughing on two coworkers.
WTNH reported that 48-year-old Cory Edgar, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Connecticut Musculoskeletal Institute, intentionally coughed on two other medical workers and disregarded coronavirus safety measures. Eyewitnesses corroborated this, saying they believed Edgar was purposely disregarding safety concerns.
“The involved doctor has confirmed that he is in excellent health and does not to his knowledge have COVID-19,” Jennifer Walker, a UConn Health spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. “We can also state that any UConn Health employee with an indication of illness is asked to stay home, and during this pandemic, all employees are screened for symptoms prior to entering the premises.”
Walker further said UConn Police issued Edgar with a misdemeanor breach of peace summons on Thursday morning. The Daily Mail reported that Police arrived on the scene around 10 am and issued Dr Edgar his summons.
It's not the first time in the recent past that authorities have had to deal with similar situations.
The Providence Journal reported that in Putnam County, 52-year James Keith, on Thursday night, coughed on a State Trooper before claiming he had the coronavirus. “Now you’re infected,” he reportedly said after doing the deed, as troopers reportedly tried to place him under arrest for second-degree breach of peace and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The report, however, added that State Police officials said a medical pre-screening for COVID-19 was conducted on Chapman by state Department of Corrections personnel. The screening came back negative. Additionally, decontamination measures were taken by all personnel involved.
Per the Hartford Courant, a New Jersey man was charged with making a terroristic threat last Sunday after he intentionally coughed near a supermarket employee in Manalapan, New Jersey. A second man started to cough at the police and medics during his arrest in New Providence, New Jersey, on a domestic violence charge. He was charged with harassment and disorderly conduct, the New Jersey Philip D. Murphy said, referring to the man as “another knucklehead”.
Further, in Hanover, New Jersey, on March 12, local police said a woman arrested on charges of driving under the influence purposely coughed on an officer and said, “Oh, by the way, I have the coronavirus and so do you now.” The three officers who came in contact with the woman self-quarantined. The woman, who did not have the coronavirus, also was charged with causing a false public alarm, cops said.
MEAWW had earlier reported that in New Jersey, 50-year-old George Falcone was charged with terrorism after he coughed on a grocery-store employee and told her he had the coronavirus. Falcone faces three counts of third-degree terroristic threats, obstructing the administration of law and harassment.
The incident occurred at a Wegmans grocery store on March 22, after an employee grew concerned that Falcone was standing too close to her and an open food display. When the employee covered the food and asked Falcone to step back, he stepped closer to her, leaned forward and deliberately coughed, the prosecutors said.
“He allegedly laughed and said he was infected with the coronavirus,” prosecutors said in a statement.
According to WHO, the US has recorded over 68,000 coronavirus cases and 990 deaths when this report was published. In Connecticut, where Thursday's incident occurred, the Daily Mail reported that there have been 1,012 cases and 21 deaths so far.