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Coronavirus patients in the Wuhan, China are deliberately spitting at health care workers to spread the highly contagious respiratory virus, a South African teacher trapped in the center of the outbreak has revealed.

According to an article by Latin Times, this revelation came at a time when the coronavirus scare has spread to several parts of the world. As of now, the virus has already infected more than 17,000 people in China and caused the death more than 360 people. All but one of those deaths, which was recorded in the Philippines, has occurred in mainland China. 

"I've heard shocking stories about infected people going out of their way to contaminate others by taking off their masks and spitting in doctors' faces," Jessica Bailing disclosed. "I saw one video of a man spitting on all of the buttons in an apartment elevator," she added.

As the situation gets worse by the day, with 2000 more people infected compared to yesterday's record, the South African teacher fears leaving home, worrying she might contract the deadly disease. She said she covers herself "from head-to-toe with gloves on my hands, glasses to cover my eyes and of course, my mask."

In Wuhan alone, 14,380 people have already been infected as of late Saturday, 304 of which have already died, according to Business Insider. However, there might have been more patients infected with the deadly virus than that of the record, leading scientists think.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers coronavirus as highly contagious since this strain can be easily spread from one person to another via a simple sneeze or light cough. Researchers said the first cases of coronavirus have come from the area of Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan where exotic animals are being sold for consumption.

According to an article by Latin Post, the worsening situation has prompted the Chinese government to build a hospital in Wuhan City to cater patients who have coronavirus symptoms, but are no longer being accepted in the city's hospitals.

Last week, China's National Health Commission announced the outbreak could peak in the next 10 days. Aside from China, there are already confirmed cases of the virus in South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Canada, France, Finland and the United States.

People who are infected by coronavirus may suffer fever, cough, and trouble breathing. However, there are experts who claim that the virus could be transmitted even with the absence of any symptoms.

Meanwhile, an article by Latin Post says that more and more people are being alarmed by the outbreak of coronavirus. For instance, there have been an increase of 1,050 percent in searches using keywords such as "how do I prevent coronavirus" and "coronavirus symptoms" in just 7 days.

This search trend also proves that people are showcasing their lack of knowledge of the deadly virus infection.

There is also the misconception that a certain beer brand can cause an infection. Proof is an increased search for the 'corona beer virus' wherein some people associated the coronavirus to the Mexican Beer 'Corona.'