Man Dressed As Santa Claus Infects Dozens Of People At Aged Care Home

A man who dressed up as Santa Claus has been labelled a super spreader.

The unnamed bloke in Belgium was just trying to spread some Christmas joy when he visited an aged care home, however spread much more than that.

The Saint Nick impersonator rocked up to the Hemelrijck aged care home in the Belgian town of Mol and didn't realise he was positive for the coronavirus.

He ended up infecting 14 staff members and 61 residents, which is 75 people in total.

It comes as Belgium is enduring a worrying second wave of Covid-19 infections, with more than half a million active cases at the moment.

The aged care home made it mandatory for residents and staff to wear face masks, however, at one point, the rules weren't followed.

"It was made with the best intent, but it went wrong. It has been a very dark day for the care home. It is a very great mental strain to bear for the man that played Saint Nicholas, as well as for the organisers and the staff," Mayor Caeyers said.

"Initially they said that the rules had been followed, but then straight away you receive photos from the families of residents where you can see that this wasn't the case."

The people who are infected are only suffering mild to moderate symptoms.

Authorities are trying to bring the situation under control quickly and have allowed all the council workers to go home while the Red Cross provides support.