Scammers looking to make an extra buck have recently been targeting desperate and panicked people by saying that they are selling home-testing kits for Covid-19.
Stories about these alleged do-it-yourself kits have been making rounds on social media, with people saying that you are able to conduct the test at home and find out if you have been infected; however, there is no such thing.
Also Read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2020/03/19/the-updated-school-calendar-that-has-been-circulating-is-fake/
Home Coronavirus tests do not exist yet and the ‘tests’ for sale are fake. Companies in the US are reportedly developing home-testing kits but right now, they do not exist. Councillor Ingrid Reinten, chairperson of the City of Johannesburg Health and Social Development Committee, has confirmed that it is not possible to buy home-testing kits for the virus. “Testing needs to be done in a lab,” said Ingrid.
If you are concerned that you may be affected, don’t go to a doctor’s rooms, clinic, nurse or pharmacist as you risk infecting everyone at the practice; instead, call the Coronavirus Hotline number (0800 029 999) and someone will come to you to conduct a test.
* 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).
