Malaysia

Fake news adds to challenge in Penang’s Covid-19 fight

Rep confirms asymptomatic cases asked to self-isolate at home as quarantine centres, hospitals operating at near-max capacity

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 May 2021 11:59PM

Fake news adds to challenge in Penang’s Covid-19 fight

by Ian McIntyre

GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s fight against Covid-19 is made more complicated by a spike in unverified social media posts on the pandemic.

State Health Department public health physician Dr Azizah Ab Manan said people must not be swayed by fake news, which can lead to them making the wrong decisions.  

“We hope the public remains calm and tries to verify any information obtained with official and registered media outlets rather than (straightaway believing) what is forwarded on social media and made viral.”

She urged people to double-check facts by comparing with official posts by the Health Ministry. 

Meanwhile, Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee confirmed that due to three low-risk quarantine centres, as well as public hospitals treating Categories 4 and 5 coronavirus patients, operating at near-maximum capacity, some asymptomatic cases have been asked to self-isolate at home. 

There is a need to engage civil society and assemblymen to supply food to those under self-quarantine, especially individuals in the B40 category, he said. – The Vibes, May 27, 2021

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