Feverish Andhra man locks family, commits suicide on coronavirus scare

Fearing he might have contracted coronavirus, a 50-year-old farmer from Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh committed suicide on Tuesday (February 11).

K. Balakrishna a resident of Seshamanaidu Kandriga in Thottambedu Mandal in Chittoor district became extremely delusional after reading extensively about China’s coronavirus and watching videos related to the same.

According to his son, K. Balamurali, the man was suffering from cold, cough, fever and was also admitted to Ruia Hospital, Tirupati.

The doctors also found that Balakrishna also had urinary tract infection.

“He also started behaving strangely with us in the last couple of days, after returning from Ruia Hospital in Tirupati where he underwent treatment for urinary tract infection and common cold last week. He pelted stones at us asking us not to come anywhere near him as he was infected with Coronavirus,” said his son according to reports.

“They gave him medicines and also asked him to wear a mask so that he does not infect others. He returned to the village, after staying at his sister’s house after two days,” the son added.

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It is the doctors’ advice he dwelled on which further made his conviction strong that he had the coronavirus.

On Monday night Balakrishna left his house, bolting it shut from outside.

He was later found hanging from a tree near his mother’s grave.

Thoottambedu Sub-Inspector K.Venkatasubbaiah said any official complaint hasn’t been filed by the family.

No coronavirus case has been reported in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.