Health Dept warns of fake Covid news
The Department of Health has urged South Africans not to be fooled by fake news on social media advising people to wear face masks due to a Covid-19 Omicron XBB variant doing the rounds.
The department’s Sandile Tshabalala says the message is fake and first surfaced during the peak of the pandemic.
He says COVID-19 remains present in South Africa at relatively low levels just like in other parts of the world.
At the same time, Tshabalala says the country is entering influenza season, and people are advised to get vaccinated.
He says those with compromised immune systems need to be extra careful.
"There are three viruses currently that are around; the respiratory syncytial virus, the influenza virus and Covid. If you have chronic diseases and they are uncontrolled your chance of having these flues comprises you to a level of dying."
Tshabalala says these viruses can spread to other organs in the body.
"We have seen in the past that influenza or flu that people get infected with gets to be very severe such as sometimes it complicates and affects the lungs and your breathing and people need ICU care."
