Coronavirus: Fake news is spreading fast

When news broke of the first confirmed South African coronavirus case last Thursday, misinformation and other conspiracy theories flooded local WhatsApp groups leaving users with a sense of panic.

In a matter of hours following the national health department’s media briefing the Courier was bombarded with calls and messages from well-meaning Dolphin Coast residents about alleged outbreaks spreading across the region.

“The virus is closer to us than we think,” two of the messages ominously concluded.

There were also inaccurate WhatsApp messages about the number of people in the region who were sick, a list of local clinics in quarantine as a result of coronavirus outbreaks along with other hoaxes, including one that wrongly said Chinese imports are tainted with the illness.

None of the information could be verified. However, the explosion of half-truths and outright falsehoods copied, pasted and forwarded on many local WhatsApp groups – some with hundreds of participants – resulted in a surge of panic buying.

Local supermarkets reported difficulties keeping up with demand for the kind of cleaning supplies that could help stave off infection.

By 10am last Friday, many retailers in the Ballito area had sold out on waterless hand cleaner, anti-bacterial wipes and similar products, while some chemists even resorted to limiting anti-bacterial gels to two per customer after stocks ran low.

Hand-sanitiser products were also found to be selling 350 percent more than their recommended retail price online, with bottles worth R17 selling for R76.

Staff at one supermarket branch in Salt Rock told the Courier it was “madness” as customers cleared the shelves of rice, pasta and long-life milk. Several people admitted to stockpiling on tinned goods in case they have to spend two weeks at home in self-isolation and were preparing for a worst-case scenario.

Toilet-paper has also become a sought after commodity.

Addressing the wave of fear that has induced the spiral of panic among the community, guest speaker Dr Linda Mtshali, a senior manager of medical services at Albert Luthuli hospital warned that exaggerated reactions to the spread of the coronavirus could do more damage than the virus itself.

“Are you aware that the influenza virus (flu) was responsible for almost 11 000 deaths in South Africa last year?” asked Mtshali, who shared important facts about the coronavirus that helped to dispel panic and minimise overreaction.

Mtshali said measures were in place to detect and manage the disease.

“The province is well prepared with strict protocols and designated public health facilities in place for the isolation of coronavirus patients.”

According to Mtshali the turn around time for receiving test results was 24 hours. Nasal and mouth swabs are sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the department of virology at Albert Luthuli hospital.

The virus, which originated in China, has now spread to more than 80 countries and as of March 9, more than 110,000 people have been infected.

There have been over 3,800 deaths globally.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize said the number of South Africans infected with Coronavirus has grown to seven after the first confirmed case last Thursday.

If you are having symptoms like a cough, shortness of breath or a fever, you should call your doctor first and follow their instructions.

You can also the NICD hotline number at 080 002 9999. You will get advice on what to do.

* 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).

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