Financial penalties have been imposed on three Vietnamese who posted fake information about the novel coronavirus infection on social media.
Ha Thi Le Nhan, 34, from Hue City in central Vietnam, Tran Van Tung, 22, from southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and Vu Thi Thanh, from the northern city of Hai Phong, had published Facebook posts about infected cases in their areas. None of the localities have reported any patients of the Wuhan coronavirus. VNExpress, a local media reports.
Ha Thi Le Nhan was ordered to pay VND12.5 million ($540), Tran Van Tung VND15 million ($650), and Vu Thi Thanh VND10 million ($430).
Ha Thi Le Nhan posted on her Facebook account on Wednesday morning that “Hue has detected one nCoV infection case. The patient, a Chinese national from Wuhan, is now quarantined at Hue Central Hospital.” She also posted the same information on several Facebook groups. Ha Thi Le Nhan deleted all those posts in the afternoon of Wednesday but by then, the information had already caused confusion among many people.
In the same move, Tran Van Tung posted on Facebook on Monday: “Le Loi Hospital in Vung Tau Town [capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau] is putting two Chinese in quarantine as they are suspected to have been infected with the new coronavirus.”
In 25 minutes, his post received 300 reactions, 400 comments and 600 shares. He only deleted the post after Le Loi Hospital denied the information and reported to the police. Tran Van Tung admitted later that he heard the news from rumors.
As for Vu Thi Thanh, she wrote on her own Facebook account on Sunday that: “One suspected Wuhan pneumonia infection case has been found in Hai Phong and the patient is now quarantined at Viet Tiep Hospital.”
As of Friday, Vietnam has confirmed five cases of Wuhan coronavirus infection, two Chinese and three Vietnamese coming back from Wuhan. One of the Chinese had recovered.
The nation had 97 suspected cases with symptoms like fever and cough, and is quarantining 32 pending test results.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global public health emergency on Thursday.
The virus has spread from mainland China to Hong Kong, Macao, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, the U.S., South Korea, France, Germany, Canada, Vietnam, the UAE, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines.
Chinese authorities said 213 people had died as of Friday morning out of more than 9,600 confirmed cases of the disease.
Here are Q&As on the Coronavirus by the official World Health Organization (WHO) website.
1. What is Coronavirus?
It is a large family of viruses that causes the common cold but may lead to more serious respiratory illness. People with weak immune systems and the elderly should take extreme care and avoid public places.
2. How it is spread?
This virus spreads easily from animal to human and also from human to human contact through:
- Close personal contact, such us touching or shaking hands with sick persons; coughing and sneezing, etc.
- Touching an object or surface with contaminants of the virus, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
- Fecal contamination
3. What are the Coronavirus Symptom?
Runny nose, coughing & sneezing, sore throat, fever/high temperature, severe headache, or shortness of breath.
- If you or your family has any similar symptom, we recommend you see your doctor right the way
- Kindly wear face-mask if you have fever/cough and let your doctor know if you requires to stay home or if doctor recommends you to stay home
4. Reduce your Risk of Coronavirus infection:
Clean hands with soap water or alcohol-based hand rub
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with issues or flexed elbow
- Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
- Thoroughly cook meats and eggs
- No unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals
5. For everyone’s safety, we suggest:
- Wear a face mask when you are outdoors or when you feel sick
- Try to avoid all unnecessary public travel for the time being, airports, bus stations, train stations etc.. where sizable groups of people gather
- We recommend you wearing a face mask when talking with others
- If you are traveling back from the epi center of Coronavirus (China) should go to hospital for a health check
- Do not organize unnecessary meetings during this period
By Vietnam Star