Fake news about coronavirus circulating in Serbia: "Patients have died, authorities keep silent"

The internet and social networks have been flooded with recordings presenting information to people in Serbia that coronavirus has already arrived here, and even that "at least five people have died while the authorities are silent". However, the authorities say none of this is true.

In one of the recordings that is spreading, a woman's voice is heard saying she that she allegedly received a call from a doctor from the Infectious Diseases Clinic - but did not state which one - who told her that the new virus was already in Serbia and that "two patients died, while two or three more died in the KBC (clinical hospital center) Bezanijska Kosa."

"I got a call from a doctor from the Infectious Clinic who told me that coronavirus has appeared in Serbia, that two died at the clinic, and two or three more at KBC Bezanijska Kosa," the woman is heard saying.

She then speaks about yesterday's event in Njegoseva Street when paramedics in hazmat suits took over a suspicious patient - all the while referring to the supposed doctor.

"And today in 45 Njegoseva, those in hazmat suits came and took away a half-dead man suffering from coronavirus. It is urged not to go out in cafes in Njegoseva because infected people moved there," she says, adding that doctors are strictly forbidden from talking about the virus having appeared in Serbia.

Listen to the full audio recording (in Serbian) here:

The Serbian Ministry of Health tells Telegraf.rs that all this information is incorrect and that there are no coronavirus patients, let alone any deaths.

Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar also told TV Pink that all information circulating on social networks about the sick and dead from the COVID-19 virus in Serbia is incorrect.

"We will be the first to come out and say when the first cases appear," Loncar said.

He reiterated that there is no reason to panic, pointed out that this virus is considerably weaker than seasonal flu, and noted that people over 80 years old are especially vulnerable. The minister of health also stressed that there is no need for citizens to stockpile food.

The Institute of Public Health of Serbia also said that the novel coronavirus has not reached Serbia, and that tests for all 14 people who have been tested came back negative for COVID-19.

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(LJ.R.)