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Fake News! WhatsApp message circulating that VI confirms case of COVID-19

-ZBVI slams report as fake
A WhatsApp message stating that local radio station ZBVI 780 AM has announced that the Virgin Islands has recorded its first confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been deemed as ‘fake news’. Photo: Team of Reporters
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has already warned that people stop spreading false information and messages without facts and said that someone would be made an example soon. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has already warned that people stop spreading false information and messages without facts and said that someone would be made an example soon. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A WhatsApp message stating that local radio station ZBVI 780 AM has announced that the Virgin Islands has recorded its first confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been deemed as ‘fake news’.

The WhatsApp message reportedly began making the rounds today, March 20, 2020.

“The BVI has just announced/confirmed its first case of the virus via ZBVI,” the WhatsApp message read.

Minister for Health and Social Development did not respond to our request for a response on the WhatsApp message; however, ZBVI was quick to debunk the claim.

“I want to make it categorically clear, on behalf of the radio station, that ZBVI Radio has not made such an announcement…the situation is clear that the British Virgin Islands is still without a case of the coronavirus,” ZBVI presenter Zan Lewis stated on the radio airwaves.

False information can have damaging effects- Premier

Late February a rapidly circulating WhatsApp message had falsely stated that the VI had a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Noting that government had to take urgent measures to counteract the WhatsApp rumours about the presence of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the territory, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said false information continues to spread faster than facts in the Virgin Islands.

Using the Opportunity to reiterate his Government's Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime (Amendment) Act of 2019 as necessary, the Premier said there is a possibility that the false messages and its content could destabilise the country economically and socially.

The Premier warned that people stop spreading false information and messages without facts and said that someone would be made an example soon.

Whilst unpopular amongst media watchdogs, section 14A of the Cybercrime act proposes criminalisation of anyone using a computer to send “grossly offensive” or “menacing” messages “for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience.”

The fines for that offence can reach as high as $500,000 and jail terms of up to 14 years.

14 Responses to “Fake News! WhatsApp message circulating that VI confirms case of COVID-19”

  • pat (20/03/2020, 13:14) Like (12) Dislike (21) Reply
    Funny man and the ndp behind this lol
  • YBM (20/03/2020, 13:30) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why people trying to blight the BVI, nothing ain't pop off here and we should be so grateful, I hope we have no corona virus cases EVER! Stop spreading rumors, the Govt will come out and alert if us there is a case in the BVI (God forbid) until that time just keep hoping for the best people of the BVI. We can get through this together! #ONEBVI
  • NickZack (20/03/2020, 13:37) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    You cannot say the BVI is without a case. You can only say of those tested ... none are confirmed !
    • agreed (20/03/2020, 15:03) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, I agree. It is possible that there are people who are infected,but are not coming forward or who may not be showing the symptoms as yet. Let's just hope for the best
    • @NickZack (20/03/2020, 15:28) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is a shame that there are people in the BVI hoping to see the country fall even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. The present government is doing great in the handling of this pandemic. They must be commended.
  • Dumbed down Society (20/03/2020, 15:10) Like (62) Dislike (8) Reply
    Can someone name me 10 people that died from this fake disease ? Hunger and heart disease kills way more than this so called disease which is at (11,274 GLOBALLY) in 4+ months ! How’s that a pandemic?! And for all you Americans that’s self quarantined your a bunch of sheep’s, while your home in your house the dollar is crashing and their building more 5G towers so y’all about to stay in your homes and have your brains fried while you sleep ! To the rest of you sheeps that believe everything that comes on TV (“Television Programming”) the mainstream news will be the death of y’all

    Do your own research !!!!!!
    • Simply put (20/03/2020, 19:31) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      You are a J.A. Get back under your rock, and stay there. Hope you are not from the BVI.
  • LISTEN & WATCH THE VIDEO (20/03/2020, 15:27) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    https://youtu.be/UnirBHW-Qv4

    I knew in the end days the majority of the people would be dead asleep, ya'll got to lazy, rely on the government too much but I guess this is the way it was suppose to play out, you cant wake everyone just got to be selfish and save yourself and let the sheeps die
  • Hmmmm (20/03/2020, 15:28) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Something is Fishy.... There is a little lie in every truthful story and a little truth in every lying story. Time will tell.
  • All about Russia.. (20/03/2020, 15:44) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Biological war fare.. an unstable world... America and China economy crashing to the ground...The world in fear and panic... Yeess we did it... Russia must be celebrating... This world had two super powers. CIA and KGB and they are both fighting for supremacy and control... . Seems like Russia win this one...
  • Political haters (20/03/2020, 16:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The haters trying real hard but it naaaa work point black
  • Red Strpe (20/03/2020, 16:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Me,I dont' know a thing for certain. My trust with the Gov regarding this issue ibecame questionable at the beginning of their reporting to us when they eventually confirmed as truth,what had been leaked by a whistleblower
    All I know is I keeping my distance from humanity as much as I can and washing my hands and so forth..
  • Rubber Duck (20/03/2020, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Congratulations to the people for Voting the VIP IN! the NDP would have not been able to handle this Fahie is we boy
  • what (20/03/2020, 20:10) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    what happened to the new cyber laws publishing information that is harmful


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