The truth behind a viral photo of a collapsed man thought to be suffering from coronavirus has been revealed.
The man pictured lying on the streets of the Ermita district in Manila cordoned off by yellow tape was found to be a drunk Korean tourist.
Social media user 'Zaldy Maguigad' shared the photo and a video on Facebook suggesting that a Chinese national had coronavirus, sparking public concern across the city of Manila
Local media reported that Maguigad assumed the unconscious man was Chinese and suffering from coronavirus.
Maguigad said onlookers cordoned off the area around the man with tape before notifying authorities, but claimed neither police nor the Red Cross sent assistance.
After some time, the tourist woke up and walked away from the scene, leaving behind his belongings.
The Manila Public Information Office released a statement explaining the incident.
The Philippines was the first country to have a coronavirus death outside mainland China after a Chinese man who had travelled from Wuhan passed away on Sunday.
More than 24,000 cases of the deadly virus have been reported worldwide and the death toll in mainland China reached 490 as of Wednesday.
