You may have recently received a WhatsApp message on a change in COVID-19 treatment protocols after a coronavirus patient autopsy.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (7 July) that the claims made in the WhatsApp message are untrue.
Here’s all that you need to know about the false WhatsApp message and its claims.
MOH: Message Circulating on WhatsApp About COVID-19 Patient’s Autopsy is False
The WhatsApp message falsely claims that authorities have found that COVID-19 is “a bacterium that has been exposed to radiation and causes human death by coagulation in the blood” after an autopsy had been conducted.
According to CNA, a version of the message claimed that Singapore “has become the first country in the world to perform an autopsy for a COVID-19 corpse”.
The message, which claims to be from MOH, further states that MOH had then proceeded to change the treatment procedure for COVID-19 patients in Singapore by giving them aspirin instead.
The message also claims that local doctors in Singapore had labelled the coronavirus “a global trick” and even alleged that antibiotics and anticoagulants could be used in the treatment of COVID-19.
It also asserted that local scientists had deemed ventilators and treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) unnecessary for COVID-19 patients and that patients should instead take paracetamol or aspirin to treat the disease.
In response, MOH said that the claims of the message are false and that the said autopsy had not taken place.
According to MOH, a previous version of the message, which used Russia instead of Singapore, had earlier been deemed false.
MOH also called on members of the public not to “spread unsubstantiated information which may cause public alarm”, and that people should visit their official website here for accurate information on the pandemic.
MOH has a specific page on its website dedicated to clearing up misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been previous instances of misinformation being circulated, such as COVID-19 vaccinations being clearly linked to strokes and heart attacks, and Singaporeans not being permitted to travel out of their areas of residence due to COVID-19 restrictions.
There have also been cases of scammers impersonating MOH personnel or contact tracers to ask members of the public to reveal their personal information.
So before you unwittingly share misinformation or circulate fake news, be sure to verify your sources and check the official MOH website if you’re unsure of anything!
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