Sara nixes statement on nCoV circulating online

MAYOR Sara Duterte has warned the public regarding the bogus statement circulating online imputing her name and the city government.

In her latest statement disseminated through social media, Duterte confirmed that the statement from an alleged Sara Z. Duterte Linked In account regarding the novel coronavirus in the city circulating online is a hoax. She said to never believe anything in the social media unless verified by a legitimate source.

“We only release official statements through (our) official platforms and channels,” she said.

The fake statement of a Sara Z. Duterte may trigger and worsen panic and alarm to the public. But she assured that the city is taking proactive measures to ensure that no case of nCoV will ever enter the city,

“We call for sobriety and ask the public to stop spreading misinformation, which could only aggravate the situation,” she urged.

Duterte has also released an official statement stating her official channel and social media accounts used for media statements, press releases, public announcements and opinions.

She said that aside from her official Instragram account @indaysaraduterte, she uses the City Government of Davao facebook page to officially disseminate proper information, @davaocitygov as Twitter account, and davaocitymayor@gmail.com/cio@davaocity.gov.ph as her email and official website.

“Everyone is hereby advised not to carry, repost, reprint, and disseminate information about Sara Zimmerman Duterte or mayor Inday Sara Duterte that does not come from the said official accounts and channels,” she said.

Meanwhile, Duterte said that the city government is closely coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and other national government agencies on what measures to take to prevent and control the outbreak of the virus.

“Davao City remains free from nCoV,” she confirmed.

“We have placed health standards to avert the feared spread of the virus. People showing the symptoms and have been suspected as possible cases were closely and properly monitored by our health professionals trained to handle these cases,” she said.

The City Health Office (CHO) task force, the same team activated during the Ebola virus outbreak, has also been activated.

The DOH, meanwhile, urged the public to remain calm and verify any information first before panicking.