‘I do not have the coronavirus’ says local plagued by rumours
"I am 100 percent fine. I am on leave and would like to ask the people of Estcourt to let me enjoy my leave in peace"
13 days ago Monica Sewram returned from an unforgettable holiday to Turkey, a trip that she will never forget. However, the sweet memories from the trip have turned sour as she has been plagued with rumours that she has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Ms Sewram would like to publicly declare that she is “100 percent fine” and revealed that she has undergone medical tests to prove it.
A few days ago, social media posts and word-of-mouth rumours started, and since then Ms Sewram and her family have been inundated with false assumptions.
Speaking to the Estcourt News, she said that even family members were being questioned and ostracised.
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She explained that upon returning from Turkey, she and several others from the tour group, were tested and cleared of any symptoms of the coronavirus.
“No one on our tour group tested positive or displayed any symptoms. I am 100 percent fine. I am on leave and would like to ask the people of Estcourt to let me enjoy my leave in peace,” requests Ms Sewram.
The Estcourt News has made contact with the Department of Health as well as The National Institute for Communicable Diseases, requesting information about cases of suspected coronavirus in Estcourt and surrounding areas, no feedback has been received yet.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu have repeatedly called for calm and discourage people from spreading rumours.
The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800 029 999” with any suspected cases of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.
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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