People urged to ignore viral fake news video about contaminated Covid-19 tests

A fake news video of a man with an earbud stuck in his nose and claiming knowledge of contaminated Covid-19 tests has gone viral on social media.

According to the video, approximately 10 000 people and the police will be deployed around the country to conduct routine Covid-19 home tests. In the video he urges people not to agree to be tested because “the earbuds used for swabs are already contaminated with the virus”.

Cape Town Premier Alan Winde reported the matter with SAPS on Sunday, but has not formally laid a charge against the Cape Town man, identified as Stephen Donald Birch.

“We strongly condemn spreading fake news,” Winde said in a statement.

“The Western Cape Government has released messaging on our social media channels to indicate that the content of the video is false.

Testing is performed with a mouth swab, which is clinically safe, and not contaminated. We are aware of other similar messages being shared about testing and we urge people not to share this kind of content as it causes widespread fear and panic. It could also result in people not wanting to test out of fear or mistrust, which could have a severe impact on their health and the health of others.”

According to DA shadow minister of health, Siviwe Gwarube, the video contains inaccurate information.

“There is no truth that test kits are contaminated with Covid19; the community health workers who will be going into communities will be screening people who may have symptoms in order to arrange testing to be done for them at the nearest facility. There will be no tests done in people’s homes. They will screen you (take your temperature and ask questions) for flu-like symptoms,” Gwarube said.

“Please do not spread this video. It will cause panic. It is fake news. And spreading it will mean you are in contravention of the regulations and you are spreading fake news.”

If you have any questions about testing and Covid-19, please call 08000-29999.

The department of women, youth and persons with disabilities also confirmed the illegitimacy of the video on its Facebook page.

According to a government website, any person/s who creates or spreads fake or inaccurate news about the Covid-19 pandemic will be liable for prosecution.

If you publish fake news or disinformation regarding the coronavirus, you may be arrested, detained and prosecuted.
This is according to Caxton and CTP Publishers legal adviser and journalist Helene Eloff.

“If found guilty, you may be sent to jail for up to six months. This is in terms of regulations issued by the Minister of Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, on Wednesday (March 18).

“Any person who publishes any statement, through any medium, including social media, with the intention to deceive any other person about:
(a) Covid-19;
(b) Covid-19 infection status of any person; or
(c) Any measure taken by the government to address Covid-19, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment,” Eloff said.If you receive information that you suspect is fake news, report it to fakenewsalert@dtps.gov.za or WhatsApp 067 966 4015.

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news.

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).