Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young Calls for Aggressive Response to Novel Coronavirus 'Fake News'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City has decided to actively respond to prevent the spread of 'fake news' related to novel coronavirus infection.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon instructed at the 'Expanded Executive Meeting in February' held in the conference room at City Hall on the 30th, "Regarding coronavirus infection, transmit all information swiftly and accurately so that citizens are not misled by rumors and fake news that differ from the facts and do not experience confusion."

Jo Cheong-sik, First Vice Mayor, who presided over the 'Novel Coronavirus Infection Response Implementation Status Report' held at the Disaster and Safety Situation Room, also said, "There are cases where false information circulates as if it were fact in internet communities with many members," and added, "Let us provide accurate information transparently so that fake news does not spread to citizens."

On the 28th, a screenshot of fake news titled 'Fifth confirmed coronavirus case at a high school in Suwon' was distributed on SNS as if it were news from a terrestrial broadcast network.

The impersonated media outlet immediately clarified that it was not true, and the following day two high school students who created the fake news visited the media outlet and 'confessed,' bringing the matter to a temporary close. However, many citizens experienced confusion due to the fake news.

The city is actively alerting citizens to phishing messages and malicious email distribution related to the novel coronavirus through its website and SNS, while providing accurate information in real time. It is also monitoring media reports in real time to prevent the spread of misinformation.

As of 3 p.m. on the 30th, the city has 22 people in self-quarantine. So far, 8 'suspected patients' and 2 'persons under investigation with symptoms' have occurred, but all tested 'negative' in specimen tests by the Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health and Environment.

People in self-quarantine are being checked regularly by phone by the city's four health centers, and guidance on response measures is being provided. Currently, no abnormal findings have been reported.

Meanwhile, on the 29th, the city distributed 5,000 posters and 150,000 leaflets containing preventive behavioral guidelines for novel coronavirus infection to all hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, multi-family housing, and childcare centers within the city, and also posted posters at bus stops. An additional 10,000 leaflets and 1,000 posters are scheduled to be distributed on the 30th.

The city is informing citizens of coronavirus infection response measures through all promotional channels including its website (http://www.suwon.go.kr) and city SNS. Mayor Yeom Tae-young regularly posts the city's coronavirus infection response status on his personal SNS (Facebook), publicly disclosing all information to citizens.

[Term Explanation]

※Suspected patient: A person who visited Hubei Province, China (including Wuhan) and developed fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher) or respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, etc.) within 14 days. A person who came into close contact with a confirmed patient during the confirmed patient's symptomatic period and developed fever or respiratory symptoms within 14 days. An epidemiological investigator determines whether the person is a suspected patient. Hospitalization in an isolation ward.

※Person under investigation with symptoms: A person who visited China and developed pneumonia within 14 days (pneumonia confirmed by imaging).

※Self-quarantine target: A person who is uncertain about contact with a confirmed novel coronavirus infection patient but is decided for active monitoring and self-quarantine based on comprehensive epidemiological relevance. A person who is not a suspected patient or person under investigation with symptoms, and who developed fever and respiratory symptoms within 14 days after visiting China, and is decided for active monitoring and self-quarantine following an epidemiological investigator's determination.

[Contact Information for Symptom Development]

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency: 1339

Jangan-gu Health Center: 031-228-5909

Gwonseon-gu Health Center: 031-228-6760

Paldal-gu Health Center: 031-228-7680

Yeongtong-gu Health Center: 031-228-8519