Health Department dismisses reports of new Covid-19 variant

The National Department of Health says it has noted the mis- and disinformation regarding the COVID-19 Omicron XBB variant circulating on social media.

These posts advised people to wear face masks because of an allegedly “deadly and not easy-to-detect variant”.

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“This is a misleading message which first resurfaced during the peak of the pandemic without a traceable source,’’ said Foster Mohale, health department spokesperson.

He urged the public to be vigilant and ignore the social media post

‘’We urge members of the public to be vigilant and ignore this malicious social media content whose intent is to cause unnecessary panic and confusion, especially as the country is entering influenza season.’’

‘’The fact of the matter is COVID-19 remains circulating at relatively low levels around the country just like in other parts of the world. Thus, there is no need for public to panic because many people have developed some level of immunity from both vaccine and infections. The current strain or variant in circulation is less severe and less transmissible,’’ added Mohale.

The department recently urged the public to take extra precautionary measures to protect themselves and their loved ones against respiratory infections, which are expected to increase over the winter season.

 

Done by: Mitchum George