Jamaica’s Well being Ministry says WhatsApp message relating to new COVID variant is pretend

Jamaica’s Ministry of Well being and Wellness (MOHW) issued a warning on Tuesday {that a} message spreading on WhatsApp and different social media relating to a brand new COVID variant dubbed COVID-Omicron XBB is fake.

In a Twitter submit, the MOHW suggested the general public that it didn’t ship out the viral message.

“Please word that this message circulating through WhatsApp and on social media is NOT from the Ministry of Well being & Wellness Jamaica. #fakenews #COVID19,” it tweeted.

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The pretend message claims the brand new variant is 5 instances extra virulent than the Delta variant, has a larger mortality price, and doesn’t include cough or fever.

The message added that signs embrace joint ache, headache, ache within the neck and higher again, pneumonia, and lack of urge for food.

The MOHW stated official alerts regarding COVID-19 can be found on its social media websites and web site.