Department of Health calls for calm after spread of Covid-19 rumours
"She has also appealed to communities to stop disseminating or consuming hoaxes and false information, but to rather remain calm and follow the stipulated protocols and procedures, to prevent the spread of Covid-19."
Lolo Madonsela
The Vryheid Herald has been inundated with messages and calls from readers, in a panic about alleged cases of Covid-19 in town.
Allegations made by residents stated a couple had been admitted to Vryheid District Hospital last Monday night, exhibiting signs of a coronavirus infection, and they were believed to have been placed in isolation at the health facility.
The Department of Health (DoH) would not comment on the suspected case however.
Spokespeople within the DoH said on the National Department of Health was solely authorised to pronounce on confirmed cases and as a ‘matter of principle’, Government did not comment on suspected cases of Covid-19.
Spokesperson for the KZN DoH, Ntokozo Maphisa said, “The MEC for Health in KZN, Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu is on record as asking for responsible reporting from the media on this subject, so as to avoid causing unnecessary panic and alarm.
Also read: Covid-19 (coronavirus): Six months in jail for anyone who publishes fake news
“She has also appealed to communities to stop disseminating or consuming hoaxes and false information, but to rather remain calm and follow the stipulated protocols and procedures, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”
Maphisa said this included regular washing of the hands with soap and water or a hand sanitiser, practicing social distancing of at least 1,5 metres between individuals, and covering the mouth or nose with a flexed elbow when sneezing or coughing.
Vryheiders have been asked to remain calm and await a formal announcement by the National DoH.
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has announced where residents can be tested for coronavirus, should they suspect they may have been infected or may have come into contact with some who tested positive for the virus.
The official Lancet Laboratory testing centres are:
Lenmed La Verna Private Hospital – 1 Convent Road, Ladysmith; Mediclinic Newcastle – 78 Bird Street, Newcastle Central; Life Empangeni Garden Clinic – 50 Biyela Street, Empangeni Central; Busamed Gateway Private Hospital – 36-38 Aurora Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga, Berea; Mayet Medical Centre – 482 Randles Road, Sydenham; Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital – 490 Jan Smuts Highway, Mayville; Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital – Suite 121- 201 West Wing, 80 Woodhurst Drive, Chatsworth; Isipingo Hospital – Suite 2, Medical Towers, 162 Phila Ndwandwe Road, Isipingo Rail; 28 Bazley Street, Port Shepstone; Midlands Medical Centre, 205 Midlands Medical Centre, 162-166 Masukwana Street, Pietermaritzburg.
Tests will be done at a cost of R1 400.
The national Government further gave a stern warning to residents to refrain from spreading rumours on Covid-19 cases, as they might find themselves fined or facing jail time.
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