The Vryheid Herald is aware of the alleged positive case of Covid-19. An enquiry was lodged earlier this week with the Department of Health (DoH) and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and formal response is being awaited. Residents are still being urged by medical professionals to stay in their homes and continue adhering to lockdown regulations. Caxton Local Media has a protocol for reporting on any coronavirus infections, and only written confirmation from these entities is regarded as confirmation. DoH and NICD policies bar them from identifying their patients, as do the policies of all medical practitioners. Residents should still take the threat of Covid-19 seriously, practicing social distancing and regular washing or sanitising of their hands.

* 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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