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Man who said Covid was a hoax dies from virus after hosting illegal parties

WION Web Team
NEW DELHIUpdated: Apr 19, 2021, 05:10 PM IST
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FILE PHOTO Photograph:(Reuters)

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Gaarder had used various social media channels to peddle false information relating to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the US election in 2020

A prominent Covid-19 denier and conspiracy theorist has died from the virus after holding two gatherings at his home in Norway. 

Norwegian Hans Kristian Gaarder died in the town of Gran, roughly 40 miles north of Oslo, on April 6, with subsequent tests showing he had coronavirus.

According to the media reports, just days before his death, he hosted two illegal gatherings at a barn on his property on March 26 and 27. Several attendees have since tested positive for coronavirus and had passed the virus onto their close contacts.

"We don't know how many or who took part in the arrangements, but ask all participants to take a corona test as soon as possible," police said in a press release, according to newsinenglish.no.

Gaarder had used various social media channels to peddle false information relating to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the US election in 2020. 

Meanwhile, the overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 141.1 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.01 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Monday morning, the University`s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 141,113,721 and 3,017,412, respectively.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 31,668,532 and 567,217, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 14,788,109 cases.

(With inputs from agencies)