Fake coronavirus messages being circulated in Chandigarh, admn warns of action

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 19

Even as the Chandigarh UT administration has initiated steps to counter the scare triggered by the coronavirus, the authorities are also grappling with the “fake” information being dished out online. Officials have warned of stern action against those found behind such fake messages.

A Chandigarh woman, who recently returned from England, has tested positive for coronavirus. But as the girl is recovering, fake messages started doing the rounds on social media that five of her family members had “tested positive”.

The message being circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms triggered panic.

Not just this, some other messages with regard to more cases increasing in Chandigarh also started circulating, fueling panic. The UT administration has been quick to trash these messages and asserted that they were not authentic.

One of the fake messages said “a coronavirus case has been confirmed in Sector 21. A girl who came back from England on March 19 has tested postive. Five of family have also tested positive”. Another message claimed that “3 cases have been detected in Sector 19.. Emergency official meeting announced..Chandigarh lockdown by evening possible”.

The administration clarified that these messages are fake. All are advised not to circulate such messages, it added.