Netcare uMhlanga Hospital refutes ‘irresponsible’ Covid-19 hoax message
The fake voice note states the hospital has run out of beds and that cars are queuing up at the hospital.
MANAGEMENT at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital have slammed a fake voice note circulating on social media warning the public to stay away from the hospital due to it being a Covid-19 hotspot.
Management said the message was ‘inaccurate, misleading and highly irresponsible’.
“It has come to our attention that there is a fake voice message doing the rounds on social media, alleging that the hospital is a Covid-19 hotspot, that we have run out of beds and that cars are queuing up at our hospital. This statement is entirely incorrect and highly irresponsible,” said Sara Nayager, general manager of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital.
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“The Covid-19 situation in KwaZulu-Natal is fluid, however at present we have minimal patients admitted with Covid-19, each being cared for in specially designated areas within the hospital. As an experienced, specialised healthcare facility with a sound track record, we continue to demonstrate an abundance of caution with extensive Covid-19 precautionary measures and adherence to strict infection prevention and control measures to keep patients, staff and doctors as safe as possible,” she said.
Nayager reminded the public that spreading fake news relating to Covid-19 was a criminal offence.
“We urge the public not to recklessly share unverified social media messages that could cause undue panic and be detrimental to the health of people in our community. Like other Netcare hospitals, Netcare uMhlanga Hospital is fully equipped for all eventualities including the safe management and continuation of services unrelated to Covid-19, such as emergencies and elective procedures,” Nayager said.
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