- Conor McGregor confused fans and social media followers on Friday when he suggested his aunt died in connection to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
- The UFC fighter wrote on Instagram that his native Ireland was “an amazing, amazing country” that had put up an admirable response to the outbreak.
- The caption announced his aunt’s death and denounced “this stupid f—ing virus.”
- Some thought he was referring to COVID-19, which has infected at least 90 in the Republic of Ireland and 29 in Northern Ireland.
- McGregor clarified in a second Instagram post that his aunt was not a coronavirus victim.
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Conor McGregor clarified Saturday that his aunt did not die from the novel coronavirus after suggesting the previous day that she was a victim of the global pandemic.
The Irish UFC fighter said in an Instagram post on Friday that his aunt, Anne Moore, had died earlier in the week.
In a lengthy caption, McGregor described learning of the death just as he was about to go on live TV, then appeared to blame the death on the coronavirus.
“My poor little friendly loving auntie. My mother’s sister,” McGregor wrote. “This stupid f—ing virus. What the f–k is happening.”
McGregor also called his native Ireland "an amazing, amazing country" and reflected on the "hand hygiene" and other sanitation habits experts have recommended to prevent coronavirus transmission.
"The immune system will be tested," McGregor wrote. "I would float around in this manner, and always end up catching little colds and flu's. I feel bulletproof right now though! I'm switched on like a motherf---er now."
The coronavirus has infected at least 90 in the Republic of Ireland and 29 in Northern Ireland. One woman died from the virus in Dublin.
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But McGregor said in a second Instagram post on Saturday that his aunt had not died of the coronavirus.
"As we prepare for her funeral I know that many of us will confront the virus in the weeks ahead," McGregor wrote. "As I gather with my family I ask you all to make an extra effort to be there for friends and family during the stressful days ahead."
The confusion sparked by the fighter's post comes as leaders in Ireland and the US alike ramp up their official responses to the outbreak.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced days earlier that all schools, colleges, and other public facilities in the Republic of Ireland would shut down and move to online platforms.
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