Dushyant Singh Pundir
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 19
A day after the city reported its first Covid-19 positive case, rumour-mongers became active today, creating panic across the tricity. Fuelled by social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp and Facebook, rumours gained ground as people went on panic buying spree.
A 23-year-old woman from Chandigarh, who returned from England on Sunday, had tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday night. The girl is recovering at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.
However, fake messages have started doing the rounds on social media that “Her mother and brother also tested positive today. Five of family, including servant, tested positive today. Police naka /seal off area and restrict movement.”
Another message circulating on the social media claims that “3 more cases detected in Sector 19, Chandigarh. Emergency meeting announced… Lockdown likely in Chandigarh by evening.”
However, the UT Administration has clarified that all these messages were fake and advised people not to circulate or forward such messages.
Another message making the rounds in the social media is that the condition of the girl, who had tested positive, is not good. Countering the message as fake, the spokesperson of the Chandigarh Administration clarified that the girl was doing absolutely fine.
UT Adviser Manoj Parida said anybody receiving fake messages should immediately inform the authorities. After verifying the contents of the message, they would immediately issue a statement on its genuineness or inaccuracy.
He said people should not pay heed to fake messages being dished out online.
Meanwhile, these rumours also gave way to panic buying. The grain market in Sector 26 witnessed a huge rush as people went on panic-buying amid rumours of lockdown.
Anita Rani, a resident of Mani Majra, said it took her more than half an hour to buy grocery items from a neighbourhood shop. Due to panic buying, shopkeepers have increased the prices of pulses and other items, she added.
Amarinder Singh, a shopkeeper in Sector 22, said residents stared hoarding essential items, which could even last months.
Digvijay Kapoor, president, Sabzi Mandi Shopkeepers’ Association, said, “ City residents should not panic. There is no disruption in supplies and we have enough stock to ensure a smooth supply.”
Trashing the rumours, Parida said there was no need to panic and the situation was under control. He added that they were taking every step to contain the spread of the virus. He said there was no need to shut apni mandi being organised in sectors and even the wholesale vegetable and fruit market in Sector 26 would remain open. “We are only banning retail purchase in the Sector 26 market,” he said, adding that to provide adequate space, they would spread vendors to the vacant grain yard and truck parking yard in the mandi.
On revealing the identity of the 23-year-old, who was tested positive for coronavirus, Parida said hiding her identity might not help as after knowing the patient’s identity, people who came in contact with her, would get themselves examined.
Police advisory on fake info online
In an advisory, the cyber crime investigation cell of the UT police stated that as everyone is aware that Covid-19 is on the rise in India and in other countries as well, it has been noticed that some people are posting fake unauthenticated news and posts on the social media regarding the virus, thus creating panic among general public. “All are requested not to post/forward any such message on the social media. If any person is found creating panic/unrest in general public through such type of posts on the social media, he will be dealt with as per relevant provision(s) of law,” added the police.
3 quarantine sites identified
Three places have been identified for quarantine facility – PGI Infosys Serai, Panchayat Bhawan and Parkview (on a payment basis). The PGI Infosys Serai is a 250 double-bed facility. It has been decided to keep one patient in one room. Each room has an attached bathroom. A separate washroom has been designated for paramedical staff. Three medical teams have been constituted, which comprise paramedical staff and doctors and will work in eight-hour shifts.