An Asian woman in Manhattan became a recent victim of hate crime after being assaulted by a stranger and blamed for spreading the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The 34-year-old woman, whose name was not revealed, was reportedly walking north on Madison Avenue near East 25th Street in Manhattan around 6:15 p.m. on Monday when a stranger, identified as Lynn Ferguson from the Bronx, walked up to her and spat in her face, according to New York Post.

The assailant allegedly blamed the woman for spreading the virus.

“You are the reason we have the coronavirus,” Ferguson allegedly said via PIX11.

When the victim tried to walk away, the 33-year-old woman yanked her hair. A traffic agent witnessed the incident and quickly apprehended Ferguson.

She was placed under arrested and is now facing charges of hate crime assault, aggravated assault as a hate crime, possession of a hypodermic instrument and possession of marijuana, authorities said.

The victim was treated at the scene of the crime and was later released.

Feature Image via Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)