On Tuesday, in KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jamaican health authorities dismissed fake news reports on social media of a new variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Please note that this message circulating via WhatsApp and on social media is NOT from the Ministry of Health & Wellness Jamaica,” the ministry said on its Twitter page.
It said further that official notices about COVID-19 can be found on its social media pages and the website.
According to the social media report, the new COVID-Omicron XBB is “five times more virulent than the Delta variant and has a higher mortality rate….”
The message also said that no cough or fever accompanies the new variant and listed symptoms of joint pain, headache, pain in the neck and upper back, pneumonia, and a loss of appetite.
Jamaica has recorded 3 461 deaths and 153,000 infections since the first COVID-19 case was detected more than two years ago.
The authorities have urged citizens to get booster shots to ensure they do not contract the virus.
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